9th March, 2020
A non-governmental organisation, Awareness for Good Leadership, Peace and Development (APGDA), has called on the Kastina State Government to adopt proactive measures in tackling insecurity in the state.
The President of the organisation, Mr Abdullahi Aliyu, made the call on Monday while speaking with newsmen after he submitted a petition at the Kastina State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
Aliyu said that the organisation was concerned about the security and welfare of the people of Kastina.
He urged Gov. Aminu Masari to have a re-think on some of his recent decisions and policies, including the suspension of activities of a vigilante group in the state.
He said that the suspension of the activities of the vigilante without engaging the service of a similar group would further expose the people to bandits’ attacks.
“Recent attacks on various communities in Katsina State exposed how vulnerable these people are as a result of banning activities of vigilante group nine months ago without introducing another measure.
“States such as Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa, Niger, Adamawa, Plateau, Borno, South West and South-Eastern states’ vigilantes and hunters are encouraged to support security personnel in tackling insecurity and insurgency.
“Nine months ago, retired generals, other senior military officers, elder statesmen, senior police officers and various stakeholders from Katsina State held a conference with a view to support the state government.
“Up till today, the state government has not received the report that has a combined input from senior citizens from the state.
“Dissolving legally elected chairmen of 34 local governments in the state has within the last four years affected the economy and security of over two million people in the state.
“We are appealing, the governor should have a re-think and open his door for indigenes to make input on how best Katsina State can be great again,’’ Aliyu pleaded.
He also advised the governor and his counterparts in the North West to consider setting up security outfit like the “Amotekun’’ in the South West.
The organisation in the letter expressed concern over the government’s decision to cancel education for all in the state and vigilante in the last nine months.
“We hope as the only governor that enjoyed unanimous support from voters during the last two general elections will re-open your doors and meet the yearning and aspirations of voiceless voters across the state,” the letter stated.