Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi state, has assured that security will remain a priority of his administration.
The governor gave the assurance while addressing hundreds of victims of banditry at Magaba village in Danko/Wasagu local government area of the state on Saturday.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abubakar Dakingari, Bagudu stated that his administration “will maintain absolute support to all security agencies through material and necessary financial provision for effective discharge of their duties towards checking the activities of bandits.”
He condoled the families of those who lost their lives during Thursday bandit attack, which led to the death of civilians and security personnel stationed in the area.
Bagudu pledged to do everything possible to strengthen security in the emirate to enable farmers and businessmen continue with their normal activities.
He expressed concern about the high level of insecurity in the area, recalling that last month, he visited Munhaye village, which experienced the same problem that led to loss of lives and property of the people.
The governor admonished all ethnic groups, vigilante and self volunteer groups, Yan-Sa-Kai to work in synergy with constituted security agencies in carrying out their operations to avoid unnecessary blame.
The leader of the volunteer groups apologized to the state government, while admitting that some of their members were been operating outside the confines of the law, and vowed to expose them.
They pledged loyalty to the state government, while assuring that from now, all members of volunteer groups would desist from engaging in extra –judicial killings.
In response, the governor accepted their apology and pledged to provide necessary logistics as well as other requirement for them to work within the ambit of the law.
Bagudu commended all traditional rulers, security agencies, vigilante members and self volunteer groups for complementing the security of their areas and sympathized with them on the loss of lives, livestock and other valuables as a result of bandits attack.
In separate remarks Senators Bala Ibn Na-Allah, Muhammadu Magoro, Kabiru Tukura of the House of Representatives and Haliru Wasagu, commended Bagudu for his sympathy visit to the people of the area, as well as the support provided to them.
They affirmed their support to strengthening security measures towards restoring peace and tranquility to the area.
Briefing the governor about the attack, Imam Abdullahi Baba, Rev. Emmanuel D. Govo, Bala N. Bedi, Aminu Dubu, Yusuf Bedi, Dan Damana, San Ayu, Adamu Magaji, Muhammad Gomowa, Umar Maleku, Umar Idris, Hakimi Sibo and Sani Usuru said that on Thursday, armed bandits invaded the village and took away foodstuffs, livestock, handsets as well as collected money from individuals.
They requested for reinforcement of security operatives to the area, saying that the attackers came on more than 100 motorcycles bearing three passengers each.
On arrival, the bandits started firing and went from house to house identifying shop owners or those with money, during which six persons were killed at Dulombu, five persons at Magaba and three persons at Matseru village.
The Governor also visited Ribah General Hospital to sympathize with injured victims during attack some of whom have been referred to Birnin Kebbi for further treatment.
