Army, police vow to deal with officers who compromise in war against banditry, kidnapping

Authorities of the Nigerian Army, police and other security agencies deployed in the ongoing war against banditry and kidnapping in Katsina State have launched investigations into their officers to establish their alleged compromise in the war.

This is coming after some of their personnel were accused of complicity by the repentant bandits and herdsmen in almost all the 6 out of the 8 frontline local government areas visited by the dialogue train led by Governor Aminu Masari.

Recall that in the areas visited so far, the herdsmen, repentant bandits and local communities had accused security forces of extortion and compromising their positions by aligning with locals on phantom accusations to forcefully imprison hapless victims or impose exorbitant fines on them.

Outgoing Brigade Commander of 17 Battalion and now GOC of the 8 division Sokoto, Brigadier-General Aminu Bande, told the repentant herdsmen that the army was there on the invitation of government to maintain peace and order.

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He assured that any personnel found to be wanting in the discharge of their assigned role will be sanctioned.

Also addressing the herdsmen in Safana, on behalf of other security agencies in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, said he had noted the complaints against security operatives in the ongoing war against banditry and kidnapping, adding that the agencies were set to investigate and retrieve every extorted item even from those that might have retired from the force.

He said: ’’If you have been cheated by any security agency or operative and you keep quiet and did not report, you are not helping this war and you are cheating yourself’’

“Police and Vigilante are partners in this job and any form of dishonesty on the part of security agencies or operatives will not go unpunished’’

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