Katsina – The Katsina State Government has condemned the activities of cattle rustlers and armed bandits who are attacking communities and killing people in some parts of the state.
The Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, made the condemnation on Tuesday in Katsina, while addressing a news conference.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a group of people from Kankara Local Government Area of the state had staged a peaceful protest over the incessant attacks on their communities by cattle rustlers.
The protesters claimed that they had been left vulnerable to attacks, adding that the rustlers were taking their animals and raping their women, daily.
Inuwa said that the state government condemned in strong terms, the heinous and unfortunate acts which had caused loss of lives and economic setbacks for the state.
He said the raping of women, killing and maiming of innocent citizens had constituted a serious concern for the state government.
‘’No responsible government will fold its arms and watch its citizens being killed and their property seized.
‘’The state government is funding various security operations being undertaking by security agencies in Rugu forest which is the hideout of these hoodlums that are committing all sorts of atrocities in the state,’’ he said.
According to him to the Secretary to the State Government, the government has so far released N200 million to fund the joint security operations aimed at dislodging the criminals from their hideout in the forest.
He also disclosed that 49 suspects had been arrested and 3,000 animals recovered from the criminals within the past six months.
Inuwa assured that the state government would not relent in its efforts of fighting armed banditry and cattle rustling.
‘’The surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force can buttress the seriousness of the state government in fighting the menace of armed bandits,’’ he said.
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He called on the people of the state to remain calm, support the state government’s policies and pray to God to put an end to the menace. (NAN)
