EXTRA: Lawmakers weep over insecurity in Katsina

Two members of the Katsina house of assembly, on Monday, wept openly over the recent attacks in communities across the state.

Speaking on Monday at the plenary presided over by Tasi’u Maigari, speaker of the house, Shehu Dalhatu-Tafoki, deputy speaker of the house, had presented a motion of “urgent public importance” over the level of insecurity in the state.

According to Dalhatu-Tafoki, member representing Faskari constituency, despite the efforts of the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, communities are still experiencing attacks.

He, therefore, called on the concerned government authorities and the security agencies to re-strategise.

“There is a serious need for the security outfits in the state to increase their outposts across the state, especially the most affected areas,” he said.

“The outposts in those areas are not enough. They cannot overpower the bandits, despite the huge amounts of money being spent on them.”

He also called on the general public to continue to pray for the return of peace across the state.

In his contribution, Haruna Goma, lawmaker representing Dandume constituency, said 11 persons were killed in a recent attack on two communities in Dandume, while several other residents were abducted.

According to NAN, while narrating the incident, the lawmaker burst into tears, and urged the government to come to the aid of the affected communities.

Similarly, Abubakar Mohammed, member representing Funtua constituency, also wept as he narrated how bandits attacked communities daily over the past month, killing scores and kidnapping many.

On his part, Jabir Yusuf, lawmaker representing Batsari constituency, described the recent killing of 12 people in Duba, a community in Batsari, as “unfortunate”.

After deliberations by the lawmakers, the assembly unanimously adopted the motion and called on all relevant authorities to endeavour to address the issue urgently by ensuring safety in the affected communities.

The house also resolved to hold a meeting with federal lawmakers from Katsina, as well as the state government, on efforts to address insecurity.

The house further resolved to meet with security agencies and the state’s committee on security on ways to restore peace to troubled areas.