From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar Tafida has dismissed reports that villages in the northern parts of the state are under the control of bandits, calling the reports pure fiction by online media.
Tafida noted that the state government has strengthened security measures across communities against any security breach.
The Deputy Governor stated this while addressing reporters in Birnin Kebbi to update them on the security of the village attacked by the bandits.
He recalled that bandits attacked Mera village in Augie Local Government Area, tragically resulting in the deaths of 17 heroic youths of the town who confronted the gunmen, also inflicting fatal injury on some of the attackers.
“Following the incident, the state government, along with National Assembly members and ministers from Kebbi, provided significant financial support to the victims’ families.
“Governor Nasir Idris donated N50 million, Senator Bagudu N30 million, National legislators N10 million, while the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, donated N2.5 million,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further stated that a high-powered delegation sent to meet with the Chief of Defence Staff to address the situation has held fruitful discussions with the CDS to combat the menace.
The delegation, headed by former Kebbi State Governor and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, includes Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah; APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu; and former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Nasiru Junju.
Tafida assured the people of Kebbi that the government remained committed to protecting their lives and property, urging the citizenry to collaborate with security operatives to bring an end to banditry and other forms of criminality.
He made it clear that the current administration, under the leadership of Governor Nasir Idris, would continue to adopt appropriate strategies to ensure the safety of all residents.