Zamfara State Government has alleged that there are forces bent on frustrating the efforts by the at addressing the security challenges in the state.
Speaking in a statement on Saturday, the government declared that despite the deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic strategy to defeat the insecurity challenge, “the recent escalation in attacks by bandits in some parts of the State is a serious source of concern”.
The statement was issued by Zailani Bappa, the Special Adviser, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications to Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
“It appears, or even certain, that some forces are bent on frustrating the efforts of this administration to address the security challenge,” Bappa said.
“It is inconceivable that these attacks have been conducted despite the effective deployment of troops across all the blackspots in the State,” he explained.
The government therefore requested that special consideration should be given to Zamfara State in terms of the deployment of more forces for quicker response to all security threats. The government lamented that no meaningful development could be achieved if decisive and workable steps are not taken to address the security issue.
It said that since the government’s inception two years ago, it has examined the security situation and evaluated the available options, and come to a decision. “It consequently decided on the best way to address the lingering crisis that was increasingly assuming intercommunal and ethnic dimensions through dialogue and reconciliation with the feuding parties,” the statement said.
“This is in consideration of the fact that no meaningful development could be achieved if decisive and workable steps are not taken to address the problem at hand.”
According to the government, “in addition to the dialogue and reconciliation programme, the administration of Governor Bello Matawalle provided all the needed support required by our security agencies to enable them to carry out their statutory responsibility more effectively”.
“As you may recall, one of these is the procurement and distribution of 200 brand new vehicles to the security forces. There are a host of other supports being extended to the security forces by the administration.”
Bappa added in the statement that the government had observed that part of the hurdles hindering the success of the fight against banditry in the State is the lack of quick response by the Security forces in the wake of attacks by bandits.
“Hence, all commanders deployed in the state are enjoined to take necessary measures that will ensure rapid response to distress calls.” Government is aware of the challenges faced by security commands especially as they seemed obviously overstretched. In spite of the obvious shortfall, Government requests that special consideration should be given to Zamfara State in terms of the deployment of more forces for quicker response to all security threats.”
