By Mohammad Lawal Maikudi
The Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda has solicited the assistance of the Nigeria Navy to tackle the security challenges facing the state.
Governor made this plea when he paid a visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwal Z. Gambo in his office Friday in Abuja
He told the Naval Chief that he was at the Naval headquarters to seek for advice and consent on how to tackle the security issues in the state.
Governor Radda, in a statement from the office of the Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, said the nation has been bedeviled with security challenges such as banditry and kidnapping, as such they need the support of the military, the Nigeria Police and the Civil Defence to ensure professionalism when the state starts its recruitment for the local vigilante forces.
The governor said he wants to initiate the Borno State JTF Initiative in Katsina state, “with your advice and support we should be able to do that.”
He said security is expensive hence the state government’s intention to deploy technology as it is being done in the Falgore forest in Kano State.
Governor told the Naval Chief that he has visited all the 361 wards in his state and even went to the no-go areas.
“I saw the situation of my people, I sympathized with them and promised to do all I can to help mitigate the security problem”
Governor Radda said “if we provide leadership we would go miles ahead, adding, “my government promised to engage local communities in fighting banditry and other vices. “We have to gather local intelligence, we have also engaged a consultant to device an app (Alarm Technology) in our communities.
He said “with the introduction of technology in our fight against banditry and kidnapping and use of non-kinetic approach we will succeed.”
He further informed the Naval Chief that the state government will start regrouping small villages to larger towns as this would help to reduce attack considering the fact that most of the attacks are carried out in the night.
Governor Radda also said the north west state governors have agreed to adopt a single approach to tackle insecurity in the region and the governors would be knocking at his door soon.
Responding the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral A.Z. Gambo congratulated the Governor on his recent election and commended him for taking the bold initiative for reaching out to the Service Chiefs.
“This goes to show your political will and commitment to fight insecurity in Katsina State,” Admiral Gambo said, adding that the Governor’s visit to the Naval headquarters would further reinforce the mutual relationship between the Navy and Katsina State.
He said the Navy has a special force which is working with other military arms to fight insecurity in Katsina State, adding the Navy has a Force Operating base in Batsari local government Area.
He acknowledged the state government’s support to the Navy in the area of accommodation and medical facilities. Admiral Gambo also told the Governor that the Navy places high premium on military-civil relationship and that the state will continue to benefit from its outreach programmes.
Admiral Gambo expressed his commitment alongside other services to assist the state tackle its security challenges.
