By OUR REPORTER
A new twist to the criminal activities in Katsina State has been revealed with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, expressing worries over observation that bandits in the North West state have acquired Radio Frequency Walkie Talkie Transceivers, which according to him, they use to beat the telecoms network shutdown by government.
The SSG, revealing this at a press conference on Thursday, said the bandits had been unrelenting in circumventing the security measures devised to curb their activities.
He said the bandits now attack vehicles to draw fuel from their tanks and ransacking communities to steal valuables.
SSG Inuwa said, “It is worth noting that since the commencement of the Containment Order, the bandits’ elements across frontline Local Government Areas have been unrelenting in devising new strategies aimed at circumventing the impact of the Containment Order.
“The recent and most worrisome trend is the acquisition of Radio Frequency Walkie-Talkie Transceivers by the bandits.
”The strategies range from “attacking motorists/motorcyclists to siphon PMS from their fuel tanks, ransacking communities and coercing villagers into sourcing PMS on their behalf.
“In spite of the successes recorded, however, it is worthy to note that since the commencement of the Containment Order, the bandits’ elements across the frontline local government areas have been unrelenting in devising new strategies aimed at circumventing the impact of the Containment Order.”
Notwithstanding, he said the security agencies are on their trail with a view to bringing the malpractice to an end.
Consequently, he advised that: “while the State Government is making relentless and concerted efforts to restore peace and security in the frontline Local Government areas and other parts of the State, it is imperative to highlight that the issue of security is everybody’s business. Hence, the need for members of the public’s cooperation with Government in order to succeed.”
SSG Inuwa, however, said that the state government had recorded successes in the fight against banditry and other related crimes in the state.
