To complement security agencies in tackling insecurity in Bauchi state, especially banditry and kidnapping, the State Government is to recruit a total of 20,000 as security support personnel.
The disclosure was made by the State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed while addressing the people of Lere Community in Tafawa Balewa LGA during an on-the-spot assessment visit on Monday.
Bala Mohammed revealed that the 20,000 youth recruits will be jointly trained by the Police and Military on how to protect the people of the state against the onslaught of bandits.
The Governor said “The time has come when we must take the destiny of our state in our hands. Whatever resources we have, we will take it and use it judiciously for the good of our people.”
He praised the members of the vigilante and local hunters in the Lere community led by the Police and Soldiers for killing 67 suspected bandits and rescuing 28 victims saying, “It was in line with my stance to rid the state of criminal elements.”
According to him, “I have come to congratulate you and to thank you most sincerely on behalf of myself and the government and people of Bauchi State.”
He stressed that “What you have done, has shown character, perseverance and community engagement.”
The Governor stressed “This is what we want to do in terms of tackling insecurity in Bauchi State. I understand that you have rescued 29 captives and you have wasted and decimated over 60 miscreants and charlatans who have been terrorizing our people.”
“This place is the route of the miscreants from the North-West. My colleagues from the North West have come together to fight this scourge of banditry and they are going to do it at the highest level with the support of the federal government,” he added.
He stressed, “We are calling on the Federal Government to also support Bauchi State to fight banditry. We too are facing insecurity challenges and we need the support we can get.”
Bala Mohammed said, “We are taking the brunt. As they are working on terrorism, we are getting the backlash, because, we are surrounded by Seven states. We are a gateway to prosperity and also a gateway to criminals and we are overstretched and working together with minimal support.”
The Governor then thanked the Commissioner of Police and other security agents for ensuring the rule of engagement in the fight against bandits and other criminal elements in the community was adhered.
The governor announced the donation of N10 million and 30 motorcycles to the community to support the vigilante and local hunters to fight crime in the area.
He revealed that his administration would set up an agency to procure more motorcyles and vehicles as well as engage the 20,000 youths.
He promised to continue to support the police and other security agencies, including the local vigilante to curtail the incursion of bandits in the area.
Bala Mohammed however warned the vigilante members in Lere not to engage in extra judicial killings to settle scores, saying that the security agencies have faith in them.
“You have to make sure that we go by the rules of engagement and make sure we are not extrajudicial,” he warned.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Awwal Musa Mohammad assured the Governor and the people of the local government area that the issue of kidnapping and other crimes in the area would soon become a thing of the past.
“I appreciate the support that we are getting from the state government all the time,” he said.
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