A measure that would make it easier to create a state-owned security outfit to combat banditry and other crimes in the state was enacted by the Bauchi State House of Assembly.
This information was made public by Governor Bala Mohammed during a condolence visit to the family of Jauro Dakkuna, 75, who was killed by bandits in the Shafa hamlet of the state’s Alkaleri Local Government Area.
Mohammed claimed that the state administration was putting plans in place to hire more than 2,000 teenagers for the state’s security force.
The governor further mentioned that locals in the area work with the local bandits.
He said: “There was no how somebody from somewhere in Zamfara would visit that secluded place of Shafa hamlet to kill somebody unless he has an informer and collaborator.
“As the security agencies have always said, such thing could not happen without collaboration with some obnoxious elements within us.
“We have to fear God in all our dealings, we have already requested the two district heads to make sure they become circumspect, to look inward because we too were looking so that they can arrest all these issues of compromise, information being given to the bandits.
“Reports reaching me the day before was some locals were supplying foodstuff to the bandits in the forests, so we are aware of such retrogressive tendencies, there are some few dissident security operatives that are compromising with the bandits.
“So, we are requesting the commissioner of police and the brigade commandant to effect a change or redeployment of the guards here who have over stayed in their duty posts to have been conniving with the bandits.”
Mohammed further assured residents that a feedback mechanism would be put in place to improve the security situation.
“We are establishing a system of feedback, and I had some people within us are even feeding the bandits in their secluded places by giving them grains and flour to feed, that is the report I got, and we are going to take measures against such people wherever they are and no matter how close they are to us,” he added.
However, in order to avert any breakdown in law and order, the governor asked the populace to alert the state government through their local authority, such as the LG chairman, councilors, district, village, and ward leaders.