From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris has said that he would meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over recent attacks by bandits on Tadurga town of Zuru Local Government Area of the state, where an unspecified number of people were killed and abducted.
Idris stated this while speaking during a visit by the Emir of Zuru, Major-General (rtd) Muhammadu Sani Sami Gomo II, who led a high-powered delegation from the four local governments of the Emirate that rushed to the state capital and presented a “save our soul (SOS)” request, following deadly armed banditry attacks in Tadurga town of Zuru Local Government.
The Governor expressed his intention to mobilise substantial government funds to save the lives and economic fortunes being threatened by the activities of armed banditry, if the activities of the bandits persist.
He noted that he would make necessary contacts to visit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to present some critical suggestions and requests on the possible solution that can hopefully minimise or eradicate the menace in Kebbi State.
Idris, who expressed his strong belief that his administration would restore peace to the southern part of the state, said that protection of lives and properties remained a priority for any responsible government.
He maintained that genuine sacrifice and judicious utilisation of resources for security are worth doing, saying that, “I will do whatever is humanly possible to protect the lives of the people, even if it means emptying the state treasury.”
The governor attributed the persistent attacks in the state to inadequate manpower, insufficient sophisticated weapons, a limited number of special military units, and the complicated nature of Kebbi State’s geographical terrain, disclosing that “these are parts of the requests to be presented to Mr President for consideration.”
According to him, the state shares boundaries with the neighbouring republics of Niger and Benin and the neighbouring states of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger, comparatively believed to be most affected.
Earlier, the Emir of Zuru, Major-General (rtd) Muhammadu Sani Sami Gomo II, told the Governor that dozens of lives and valuable properties, yet to be ascertained, have been lost to the weekend banditry attacks in Tadurga.
The royal father said that although the purpose of the visit included expressing appreciation for the numerous developmental projects being executed in the Emirate, he warned that at the rate the banditry attacks are going, killing innocent people, stealing cows and farm produce, unless urgent measures are taken, the major towns of the Emirate will soon witness an uncontrollable congestion of displaced people.