Chronicling Gov Nasir Idris’s Incisive Strategy To Strengthen Security In Kebbi State

Security is very paramount to all facets of development in any clime, either in Nigeria or other parts of the continent and worldwide. Consequently without it, nations will not prosper, societies will stagnate without growth.

In Nigeria, the story is the same and has in the most recent years, become a quagmire in most parts of the country.

Although security is on the exclusive list of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution(as amended), yet it is everybody’s responsibility in need of collective effort by the three tiers of government to ensure peace and serenity.

The provision of security to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens is thus one of the basic principles enshrined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria , so that they can live in peace and go about their day to day activities without threat to their well-being or any hindrance.

Therefore, the crux of the matter is that there will never be development without security.

It is on this background that i feel it is pertinent to Xray the proactive and curative approach of the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu towards addressing the security challenges in the State particularly in the Southern parts of Kebbi where the activities of bandits have become disturbing and incessant in spite of tangible efforts to surmount the trend by the Governor and the gallant security operatives.

Without mincing words, the measures taken by Kauran Gwandu immediately he assumed office after oath of office on 29th, May,2023 to curtail recurring attacks from the unrepentant bandits and ensure safety of people of the state, have started yielding positive results. This is as evident as it is glaring.

Hitherto, the heinous activities of bandits and other criminal elements engaged in cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom and the recurring attacks on innocent villagers have drastically reduced through neutralising some of the dreaded kingpins of the bandits such as ‘ Mainasara’ in Danko Wasagu, and ‘Dogo Oro’ who were felled in Tunga village of Bunza Local Government by the combined efforts of joint security operatives comprising the military, police,Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the local vigilantes in their various communities.

Most of the attacks by the hoodlums were averted particularly in several locations in Kebbi South, Danko Wasagu, Zuru,Fakai, Yauri , Shanga and Ngaski local Government Areas. Although local Government Areas like Suru, Bagudo, Bunza, Arewa and Augie have witnessed pockets of banditry but not as unprecedented as the former.

Interestingly, in areas where farming activities have hitherto been abandoned due to the criminal activities of unscrupulous elements, farmers have returned to their farms with normal farming activities now at their peak.

Rural dwellers in villages are now more consciously responsive to matters of their community security by cooperating with the various security agencies as well as forming and supporting vigilante groups as advocated by Governor Nasir Idris during his visits to communities affected by banditry. These are really commendable efforts that should be hugely sustained and replicated across the state.

Even though the previous Governments did their best in the area of security in the state, the priority given by Kauran Gwandu- led administration to tackle the menace in Kebbi State in all its ramifications has been more explicit and result-oriented.

When he took over the mantle of leadership as the Chief Security Officer of the State, Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu started by holding regular security meetings with the heads of security agencies in the state including vigilante groups to listen to their challenges with a view to addressing them. This has been beneficial and the meetings have been regular, courtesy of the dexterity by the magnetic personality and charismatic leader, Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris.

He increased the payment of allowances to security services engaged in the theatre of operation in the state which galvanised and emboldened the combatants to exhibit valor.

The Governor further approved the formation of a joint security operation comprising of all security agencies including the vigilantes for total victory.

He also increased budgetary allocation to support the logistic requirements of security operatives to diligently carry out their mandate of protecting lives and property of the citizenry.

In addition, the measure has led to deployment of increased presence of security personnel to black spots and other flash points across the State.

It is also on record that Kebbi State Government expended the sum of billions of naira on the purchase of 27 hilux vehicles and land cruisers, distributed to the Army, Police, DSS and Civil Defence. The vigilantes groups received hundreds of motorcycles, precisely Seven Hundred and Thirty motorcycles were purchased to facilitate surveillance and field engagement.

This would encourage community policing by the vigilantes through the use of such motorcycles in all the 21 local Government Areas of the State.

In the effort to keep Kebbi State safe, both urban centres and rural areas, Governor Nasir Idris extended moral and material support to Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security in order to keep bandits and other criminal elements at bay.

This was testified by the State Commander of the Security outfit at a press briefing in Government House, Birnin Kebbi recently.

Amb. Musa Hussaini Rambo told journalists that, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu has demonstrated an utmost commitment of his administration to prioritize security by supporting the organisation to carry out its activities in the state particularly its efforts in the forests to get rid of criminal elements as well as organising conferences to enlighten their members on the modern rudiments of security techniques.

In addition to all these tangible measures, the Governor has kept constant touch with his people particularly those affected by banditry through constant visits, no matter the distance or difficult terrain to commiserate with the victims and offer relief assistance to them. This is the characteristic of a compassionate leader.

Governor Nasir Idris has hit the ground running within his 100 days in office with massive infrastructural development, empowerment of people for self reliance and improved agricultural growth in the state which have been made possible with prevailing security in the State.

Security has remained top most on the 5 point agenda of the people’s Governor.

At the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations, Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris doled out N80 million and hundreds of bags of grains to the members of the Nigerian Legion, widows of departed soldiers and serving NYSC members.

The recent trip by Governor Nasir Idris to Gusau, with his counterparts from the North-West Geopolitical Zone, to witness the launching of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, is a clear zeal , vision and intention of the Governor to partner with all the chief security officers of the zone to holistically address security matters to secure their people as well as appraise the preparedness of the states to set up similar security outfits leading to regional security body.

Comrade, Dr. Kauran Gwandu requests people of the state to sustain prayers for the administration for the full return of peace, security, tranquillity, growth, and economic prosperity in abundance to all communities, towns and villages in Kebbi State, because without security, there will never be development.

Credit: YAHAYA SARKI,
Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity to Kebbi State Governor.