Abdulahi Ganduje, the governor of Kano State, on Thursday asked the military to help the state flush out bandits who he said are converging in its forests.
The governor said that the bandits are gathering in Falgore Forest, and could be planning to launch attacks from there.
Governor Ganduje made the appeal when he met with the Service Chiefs at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
“I am also here to seek the help of the Nigerian Army to sustain the peace in Kano State. Bandits have converted some forests in the state into hideouts.
“The bandits are grouping in Falgore Forest and may be planning to attack our people,” the governor said.
“We are building houses, schools and hospitals for the herdsmen in some of the forests but we want the Army to commence activities at the Falgore Forest.
“I plead with the Nigerian Army to quickly conclude work on the training depot at the Falgore Forest so that they can take over the forest.”
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst peace-time insecurity, with armed bandits roaming the forest from where they launch attacks on farmers, communities and neighbourhoods. They kidnap people for ransom, take over ancestral homelands and destroy farmlands.
Speaking further, Ganduje expressed his condolence to the Nigerian Army over the death of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in May in an air crash along with 10 other n officers.
In his response, the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahya, restated Army’s commitment to contain the rising insecurity in the country while working with the other arms of the Armed Forces.
Gen Yahaya promised to pay a visit to the Falgore Forest to assess how the Army can begin its operations there.
