Two Katsina state House of Assembly members broke into tears on Monday during deliberations over the worsening insecurity affecting 32 out of the 34 LGAs in the state.
Katsina, the capital, is not spared. Lawmakers said kidnappers now storm homes and kidnap targets unchallenged at will.
In an earlier motion presented during a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Tasi’u Maigari. The Deputy Speaker of the house, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu-Tafoki had called for urgent intervene over the level of insecurity in the state.
According to Dalhatu-Tafoki, (APC Faskari), despite the efforts of the federal, state governments, and security agencies, the insecurity problem in Katsina State was getting worse and more people were being killed every day as more Local Government Areas were being affected.
He, therefore, called on the concerned government authorities and the security agencies to re-strategize their approach to tackling the rampant activities of bandits in Katsina.
He pointed out; “There is a serious need for the security outfits in the state to increase their outposts, especially the most insecurity affected areas.
“The outposts in those areas are not enough, they cannot overpower the bandits, despite the huge amounts of money being spent on them,” he said.
He also called on the general public to continue to pray for the return of peace all over the state.
When the floor was thrown open to other members to make contributions, they shared tragic stories of kidnapping and deaths.
Alhaji Haruna Goma (APC Dandume), representing Dandume constituency, said recently no fewer than 11 persons were killed in two communities, while many were abducted.
He broke down in tears, as he appealed to the government to provide more security for the citizens.
The member representing Funtua constituency, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, (APC Funtua), who was also in tears, said for the past 40 days, bandits had attacked Funtua communities daily, killing scores and kidnapping many.
Also, the lawmaker representing Katsina constituency said the insecurity challenge was beyond imagination.
According to him, 32 out of the 34 LGAs in the state are now affected.
Even within Katsina metropolis, people were being kidnapped, he said.
He called on the government to review its expenditure on security as there was no visible improvement.
After the long deliberations by the lawmakers, the assembly unanimously adopted the motion and called on all relevant authorities to look into the issue in the interest of those affected.
The house also resolved to hold a meeting with the National Assembly members from Katsina and also the state executive, to discuss insecurity.
The lawmakers also resolved to invite all heads of security agencies in the state and also the state’s committee on security, for solutions to the problem