Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Thursday visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their homes following renewed bandit attacks in parts of Alkaleri.
The displaced residents, drawn from Mansur, Yalau, Futuk, Duguri and Gwana communities, are currently taking refuge at a government learning facility in Kashere, Gombe State.
Addressing the victims during the visit, the governor described the security situation as “very bad,” lamenting that thousands of residents had been forced out of their ancestral homes by heavily armed groups.
“Our people have been pushed out by about 10,000 well-armed bandits,” he said, alleging that the criminal elements are recruiting both locals and outsiders, including former illegal miners, to swell their ranks.
Governor Mohammed appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention, noting that he would be meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to seek stronger military and police action against the insurgents.
“We will engage the President to get clear directives for the security agencies. We intend to deploy technology and other strategic measures to decimate the bandits,” he stated.
The governor also announced plans to recruit 2,000 youths into vigilante groups to be trained as forest guards, stressing the importance of community participation in safeguarding lives and property.
He commended the Government and people of Gombe State, particularly the Kashere community, for accommodating the displaced persons, and apologized for any inconvenience their presence might have caused.
“This is the first time we are facing this magnitude of challenge, but by God’s grace, we will overcome it,” Mohammed assured.
Earlier, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reaffirmed the commitment of security agencies to restoring normalcy in the troubled areas.
He disclosed that additional personnel had been deployed to the affected communities.
“I want to assure the people that we are committed to the immediate restoration of peace and security in that environment. All strategies and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that calm returns to that axis,” the Commissioner said.
He added that the Bauchi State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, would not allow any part of the state to become an ungoverned space.
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