Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has urged residents of the state who are currently facing banditry and terrorism threats to take proactive measures in defending themselves against such attacks.
The governor noted that rather than always relying on government intervention, they should form groups and protect themselves.
The governor made the call on Friday at the Government House in Katsina during an extensive emergency security meeting.
The meeting was attended by the emirs of Katsina and Daura, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and Dr Umar Farouq Umar, members of the business community, as well as security chiefs in the state, Daily Trust reports.
“We must review the security situation in the state, take action to find a solution, and address these challenges.
Apart from insecurity, there are other challenges like the rising cost of food and hunger amongst the population.
“Government is fully prepared to assist any community that organises themselves in their respective areas through training and the provision of logistics.”
“We are all aware of the current skyrocketing of the prices of foodstuff, which led to protests in Niger State, Kano and other places. It has not gotten to our state yet, but it is necessary for us to meet and see how we can mitigate the situation before it gets out of hand,” he said.
He said the hike in prices of commodities was as a result of the fall in the value of naira; hence some neighbouring countries are coming with their little money to purchase huge grains.
“There are also people who use their naira to purchase foodstuff for hoarding in order to save their money from possible loss due to the fall in the value of our currency,” the governor added.
SaharaReporters had reported how Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir also called on residents of the state to defend themselves and confront bandits because security officials alone could not tackle insecurity in the state.
Bauchi, like other North-west states of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi, has witnessed incessant attacks by terror groups.