Kidnappings: Security Agencies, Vigilantes In Bauchi Rescue 69 Victims – LG Com.
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI – The Bauchi State Government has said that as part of its resolve to rid the state of kidnappers and bandits, security agencies and vigilantes in the state have successfully rescued 69 abductees from kidnappers den across the state.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Abdulrazaq Nuhu Zaki, who announced this while briefing Journalists, explained that the feat was achieved by the combined efforts of Security agencies and Vigilantes who stormed dens of bandits in various forests in the State and rescued the victims.
Zaki also said that plans have been intensified through patrols on the routes followed by the bandits in order to track them down, rescue more victims and possibly arrest the bandits.
He said that there is infiltration of the forests by the bandits and kidnappers in Toro, Alkaleri, Tafawa Balewa, and Ningi local government areas of the State as confirmed by various sources.
According to him; “The State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed led the battle himself as he visited the affected areas and commiserated with the people as well as encouraged them to resist the kidnappers.
“The Governor equally boosted the morals of the Council Chairmen, vigilantes, traditional rulers, security personnel and stakeholders in the fight against insecurity in the state.
“We mobilised ourselves, security personnel and vigilantes and stormed the forests, fearlessly and confronted the bandits and they fled but, our men continued to advance towards them.
“Many of them were brought and kept in Bauchi by their abductors. We have released them and allowed them to go to their respective homes and families,” he added.
Zaki said that Governor Mohammed discussed with his Taraba and Plateau States counterparts for collaboration to intensify patrols along the routes followed by the bandits in their borders with a view to frustrate their movements.
The Commissioner also said; “Recently, we had strangers that came to the State with Camels and cows and in Lame-Burra forest. The government sent security personnel and government officials to them to know their mission in the state.
“Our Governor will continue to engage with states that share borders with us including Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Plateau, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna States in the efforts to keeping the bandits out of business”.
Kidnappers had recently infiltrated some local government areas in Bauchi state and abducted innocent citizens and killed a few in the process, a development that made Governor Bala Mohammed to sign into law, a bill for the establishment of local vigilante groups to collaborate with regular security agencies.
