• Zulum begs Boko Haram to sheathe swords

Katsina State Police Command has neutralised 15 bandits and arrested over 50 others in the state.The command also said it rescued 20 kidnap victims and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, as well as 20 locally-made guns in recent operations.

At a press conference yesterday evening, the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, said 140 suspected rapists were arrested in 87 reported cases within the period. Buba added that the command was able to charge the 87 suspects for prosecution.

Most of the criminals were killed or arrested at different locations in the state. His words: “Recently, the command arrested over 50 suspected bandits/kidnappers/armed robbers/cattle rustlers, recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 20 locally-made guns, two automobiles, 20 motorcycles, 220 rustled cows and N685,000.

“The command also killed 15 bandits and rescued 20 kidnap victims in the ongoing war against all forms of criminality in the state.

“On the fight against rape, which is bedevilling the state, 140 suspects were arrested in 87 reported cases and all were taken to court for prosecution.”

The command, he disclosed, was synergising with traditional and religious leaders, as well as other stakeholders, including parents, to bring the menace to the barest minimum.

Buba, who enumerated several other inroads made at tackling insecurity in the state, called on members of the public to avail the police with intelligence that would lead to curbing criminality in the state.

MEANWHILE, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has called on Boko Haram fighters to sheathe their swords, so that the 1.76 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can return to their communities. Zulum made the call yesterday while addressing 2,800 IDP returnees at Ajiri village, Mafa Council.

“You are laying down arms for peace to reign in our dear state and the country at large.
“The state government is also doing everything possible to return all displaced persons to their ancestral homes,” he said.

According to the governor, the terrorists should know that IDPs, who have returned or willing to do so, are their relations.
He added that the IDPs in camps and host communities were eager to pick up their pieces in re-built communities.

Government, he disclosed, will do everything possible to ensure that all returnees live comfortable lives in their communities.

He directed the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Mustapha Gubio, to provide a stand-by power generating set to complement the solar panel that powers the borehole installed to meet the returnees’ water needs.

While assessing Ajiri community, since the return, he said: “I am happy to see you living comfortably after your relocation from IDP camps to your ancestral homes.

“As government, we will do everything possible to support you. We are going to provide this community with a befitting school, hospital and market stalls among other facilities.

“I am appealing to you to continue praying for the restoration of peace and cooperate with the security agencies in the fight against terrorism.”