ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
The Bauchi State Government has beefed up security in four Local Government Areas of the state following the influx of armed bandits into the areas,
The Secretary to the State Government, Sabiu Mohammed Baba, disclosed on Monday during a press conference at the end of an emergency Security Council Meeting which was held at the Government House, Bauchi and presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed.
Baba revealed that the four LGAs share border with Geidam, Yobe State which was recently attacked and taken over by Boko Haram insurgents.
He said that the emergency security meeting was to discuss the implications of such development ti the state, identify the security threats and how to contain them.
According to him, because of the Geidam attacks, there is an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and armed bandits into these four LGAs. Thereby, overstretching the facilities in the state.
Baba who said that security is a collective duty of all citizens, explained that the security agencies alone cannot tackle this problem, hence the need for all hands to be on deck including traditional and religious leaders and all groups.
He said that all the security agencies have assured the government of their maximum cooperation in its attempt to have a joint patrol of the areas concerned.
He said: “It will be expected that we will continue to profile whoever come into the state. I can tell you that some people coming into the state, come in with weapons and it is the profiling that will help us stem that kind of problem”.
“Apart from that, any criminal activity that is noticed should be promptly reported to the security agencies.”
Speaking further, Baba stated that armed bandits had attacked and destroyed a telecommunication mast in Gamawa LGA.
He revealed that the bandits specialize in destroying communication facilities so that it will be difficult for residents to communicate before committing crimes.
“When we are talking about threats, in Gamawa already, we have noticed attempts to dismantle MTN facilities and such things are usually done by criminal elements in an attempt to make security impossible in that area so that they may move in perpetrate their activities.
“That is one major threat that has been identified but luckily, they have been apprehended at a military checkpoint and their equipment recovered,” he stated.
Reacting to bad elements that have already settled, he said that the government is sensitizing the public to report anybody they are not comfortable with and to be aware of the risk of harbouring bandits or not reporting them when they suspect that they pose a great danger to the society.
Asked if these “bandits” are Boko Haram insurgents or informants of the sect, Baba said: “They are bandits and I cannot say if they are Boko Haram informants or not, but there could be a possibility. However, only investigations will reveal that at the end of the day.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, who admitted that the police were overstretched, noted that it was due to the fact that the police were collaborating with other security agencies to combat crime in the state.
According to him, security agencies are working round the clock to ensure that people coming into the state do not come to create problems.
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