Security agencies and different vigilante groups have killed 67 suspected bandits and rescued 28 abducted victims in Bauchi.
Confirming the development, yesterday, Village Head of Lere in Tafawa Balewa Local Council of Bauchi State, Alhaji Jamilu Aliyu Bawa, lamented the activities of kidnappers who pick villagers at random, demanding ransom ranging from N50 million to N100 million.
The traditional leader made this known in his Palace when the Governor, Bala Mohammed visited the community after a disturbing security report.
He commended both the conventional security agencies and vigilante groups for curbing insecurity.
Meanwhile, Bala Mohammed said he learnt that over 60 miscreants who have been terrorising and killing the people have been killed.
He said: “I want to thank the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies for ensuring the rule of engagement in the exercise.
“The area is a route of the miscreants from the North West. My colleagues from the North West have come together to fight this surge of banditry and they are going to do it at the highest level with the support of the Federal Government.”
We are calling on the Federal Government to also support us. The fact that we are keeping quiet does not mean that we are hale and hearty.”
Mohammed urged the Federal Government to consider Bauchi, Plateau, Taraba and Gombe in whatever support meant for the North West.
The governor also announced a donation of 30 motorcycles and N10 million to support the local security outfits.He, however, urged the locals not to settle scores with anyone using the situation.
Similarly, Katsina State Police Command, yesterday, said it neutralised five suspected kidnappers during various operations, and rescued 171 abducted victims from June 1 to September 30, this year.
The command also said it arrested a total of 1,005 persons in connection with 853 reported cases, with 395 of these cases undergoing prosecution in various competent courts of law during the same period.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa stated this while speaking to newsmen at the police headquarters, on the command’s modest achievements within the period under review.
Represented by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, the CP said a total of 53 suspected armed robbers, 82 suspected kidnappers and 90 suspected rapists were arrested within the same period.
