No plan to negotiate with criminals, says Katsina govt

By Zubairu Idris

The Katsina State Government says it will not negotiate with any criminal or group of criminals but will do everything humanly possible to protect the people.

Dr Nasiru Muazu-Danmusa, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Katsina.

The commissioner reiterated the determination of the state government to bring an end to banditry and other security challenges in the state.

Muazu-Danmusa said that the state government was taking the necessary measures to enable the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state to return to their respective communities.

He added that the inauguration of the Community Security Watch Corps (KCSWC) by Gov. Dikko Radda on October 10 was an indicator of the commitment and determination to restore lasting peace in the state.

”I think Katsina State has the highest number of IDPs in the North-West as a result of insecurity.

” However, we are making efforts to reverse the negative narrative by putting in place excellent strategies that will address the problem.”

Muazu-Danmusa said that the government had benchmarked the salaries of the agency’s employees on the basis of the national minimum wage.

“We are constructing their offices, providing them with patrol vehicles, motorcycles, weapons, and gadgets, among others, for their effective operations.

“So, we are going in tandem with the provisions of the constitution in providing them with all these things,” he said.

The commissioner said that the corps was committed to the call to sacrifice their best for their people and communities.

Muazu-Danmusa added, “The members of the corps are indigenes of their respective communities; they have been at the forefront of the fight against the terrorists; they are familiar with the terrain and have agreed to protect their people.”

He expressed optimism that, with fervent prayers of the people, the operation would be successful

Muazu-Danmusa also urged the public to intensify efforts in providing credible intelligence information to the security agents to enable them to effectively nip crimes in the bud.

NAN