The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to initiate a coordinated joint security operation to flush out bandits, destroy their camps and allow farmers to return to their farmlands.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘”Need to address the incessant banditry attacks on Villages in Dustin-Ma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State”, sponsored by Hon. Aminu Balele Kurfi (APC-Katsina).
The lawmaker stated that on June 12, 2023, seven communities within Kurfi and Dutsinma Local Government Areas of the state were attacked by bandits, resulting in the injury and death of scores of innocent villagers.
He said the incessant banditry activities in the two areas and other neighbouring communities in Safana and Batsari Local Government areas have led to the regular imposition of taxes on farmers before allowing them to access their farmlands, failure of which puts them at risk of losing their livestock to rustlers as well as having their shops burgled by daredevil kidnappers.
Balele lamented that the recurring bandits’ attacks have led to low farming productivity, thus aggravating the existing food insecurity in the affected communities.
He said: “Majority of the youth in the affected areas could end up with little or no income, thus worsening youth restiveness; Worried that as another farming season has started, bandits are threatening farmers in the area to pay imposed taxes or risk being kidnapped for huge ransoms.
“The House is aware that the 9th National Assembly passed several resolutions on similar motions and communicated same to all security agencies, however, little or no positive results were achieved from the decisions taken then.”
The lawmaker stated that stringent security measures need to be taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the people as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
To this end, the House resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to invite the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the alleged complacency of security agencies in addressing the cases of banditry in the state.
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