Chief of Army Staff seeks Kebbi traditional rulers’ cooperation over banditry

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Farouk Yahaya has appealed to the traditional rulers and other relevant stakeholders in Kebbi State to cooperate with the Army and other security agencies to eliminate bandits as well as other terrorists in the State.

He made this call at Ka’oje when he paid homage to the Sarkin Bargun Kaoje in his palace during the Commissioning of Civil Military Cooperation, CIMIC, Road Project.

The Army Chief said that because of their strategic position in the community, traditional rulers must not be left out in the security architecture of their domains.

“I urge all the traditional rulers and residents of various communities in Kebbi State to furnish the military with useful information that will help in their fight against banditry in the state” he said.

“You see in the society the traditional rulers have important roles to play in the fight against banditry and other criminal elements’ activities in the Communities, as there are important information at the disposal of traditional rulers that may help the military in their constitutional duties to improve security situation in the various communities of the state”, he added.

He therefore said that as leaders of their communities , they have a duty to be on the lookout and report any suspicious or strange activities, movement of criminal elements to security agents for people in their domains to live in peace.

The Chief of Army Staff, who was in Kebbi State to commission a one kilometer road in Ka’oje said that the aim of the constructed road is to bring synergy between the military and civilians and also to honour their procurement Director, Major General Nasiru Usman Muktar who is from the area.

Delivering his remarks at the Commissioning ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff said that the road was constructed to tackle basic amenities challenge such as borehole, electricity supply shortage being faced by people in the community. He said it will also accelerate commercial activities in the area.

‘this is part of my administration’s blue print. I Commissioned many projects across the country, this road will boost the socio economy of the area, most especially agricultural businesses, ” he said.

He also thanked the Kebbi State Governor Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu for supporting the security agencies.

Speaking, the Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who was represented by the Sercertary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri said it was heart warming for him to see military officers impacting positively on the lives of people in the community.

He said his administration would continue to liaise with the military in its effort to tackle insecurity foisted by bandits attacks.

“My administration will make sure it provides the military with whatever it needed to fight insecurity in Kebbi State”, he said.

He then enjoined the community to reciprocate the military’s gesture by ensuring the road is maintained and well utilized.

Responding, the District Head of Kaoje, Alhaji Usman Adamu called on the army to establish a military based in the area to check excesses of the bandits whom he said are making incursion from Niger state, Niger and Benin republic borders through a large forest in the area.

“This is the second time we are receiving a high profile figure from the military in Kaoje. The first time was in 1999 when General Ibrahim Babangida came to commission Tunga bridge/ Kaoje road. Your visit is the second one”., he said.

He commended the army for the road saying it would make the daily activities of his people more convenient and easier.