THE Katsina State Government on Monday said it’s working closely with various security agencies in the state to reinforce security strategy aimed at ensuring that all places of worship are properly manned and adequately secured.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security Matters, Malam Ibrahim Katsina disclosed this in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by News Point Nigeria, at his office in the state capital on Monday.
This commitment is coming barely 24 hours after a group of bandits armed with sophisticated guns on motorcycles abducted worshippers at the New Life For All Church in Kankara Local Government Area of the State during Sunday church service.
According to Katsina, the state government is going to engage additional 1,900 fully trained vigilante corps in security-prone areas.
He asked people in the state to feel free and go about their normal businesses as 80-90 percent of Katsina communities are according to him, currently enjoying peace.
He explained that following Sunday’s sad and unfortunate development, the state governor, Aminu Masari was concerned and thus; met with heads of various security agencies and directed them to do everything possible to ensure that the victims are rescued and reunited with their families.
According to him, the governor also reached out to the traditional and community leaders and advised them to do the needful and assist security agencies with information on how to tap the criminal elements.
“The state government is doing whatever it takes with the security forces to ensure that the victims are rescued. We are doing whatever it takes to also ensure that the 2023 general elections will be conducted peacefully.
“Almost 80-90 percent of certain Katsina communities are in peace now with the combined efforts we are making.
“These isolated cases should be expected because of the antecedent of the terrorists.
“We are understudying the factors that led to the attack. We are reinforcing our security strategy by ensuring that all places of worship will now be properly manned and adequate security will be provided. People should feel free and go about their normal businesses.”
This isolated case has given us a lead way to rethink the criminal elements and we will do whatever it takes to remain proactive.
“The contradicting figure of victims kidnapped does not matter. Each figure is important, even if it’s one. It’s not the figure that matters but the individual life. Our primary role is to secure lives and property. So, the figure is immaterial even if it’s one, we shouldn’t allow it to happen.
“What we need is the rescue efforts and proactive strategy to ensure that the incident does not occur again. We are going to engage additional 1,900 fully trained vigilante corps.
“The community efforts and networking we are making are yielding results. We assure members of the public of improved security, coverage, and improved life. Sooner than they expect, the problem will be over,” Katsina noted.