The leadership of the House of Representatives has decided to engage the service chiefs, the inspector-general of police, and the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS) to address the alleged complacency of security agencies in tackling banditry in Katsina State. This decision follows the adoption of amendments to a motion sponsored by Hon. Aminu Babale, the member representing Dustin-Ma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State, during the plenary session.
In his motion, Babale highlighted the bandit attacks on communities such as Tashar Yaro, Koza, Kudewa Villages, Geza, Sauyawa, Tamawa, and Maileda within the Kurfi and Dutsinma local government areas of Katsina State on June 12, 2023. These attacks resulted in injuries and fatalities among innocent villagers.
Babale expressed concerns over the incessant banditry activities in Kurfi, Dutsinma, and neighboring communities in Safana and Batsari local government areas. He mentioned the imposition of taxes on farmers by the bandits before they are allowed to access their farmlands. Failure to pay these taxes puts the farmers at risk of losing their livestock to rustlers and having their shops burgled by kidnappers searching for food supplies.
The lawmaker emphasized that the continuous attacks by the bandits have significantly impacted productivity, leading to food insecurity in the affected communities. With another farming season underway, farmers in the area are being threatened to pay imposed taxes or risk being kidnapped for hefty ransoms.
Babale highlighted that the primary responsibility of the government, as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), is the security and welfare of the people, as stated in Section 14 (2) (b) of Chapter 2.
In adopting the motion, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to initiate a coordinated joint security operation that includes providing aerial surveillance and implementing combat mission plans to flush out the bandits and destroy their camps. The aim is to enable farmers across the country to safely return to their farmlands and resume food production.
This resolution demonstrates the commitment of the House of Representatives to address the security challenges posed by banditry in Katsina State and provide support to affected farmers, ensuring their safety and promoting food security in the region.
