Bauchi Governor Seeks Federal Government’s Support to Combat Banditry

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has appealed to the Federal Government to provide more support to the state in its efforts to fight banditry and kidnapping.

During his visit to the local hunters and vigilantes in Lere community, Tafawa Balewa LGA, on Sunday, October 8, 2023, the governor made this appeal from the federal government.

The governor said that Bauchi State was becoming a hotbed for criminal activities, especially kidnapping, as bandits displaced from other states were finding their way into the state. He said that the state was surrounded by seven states and was a gateway to both prosperity and crime.

He commended the efforts of the security agencies and the local vigilante groups in curbing the menace of banditry in the area.

He also announced the donation of N10 million and 30 motorcycles to boost the morale and logistics of the vigilantes and hunters. He promised to continue to support them and other security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the state.

The governor’s visit came after he received a letter from the member representing Toro Federal Constituency, Dabo Ismail Haruna, who drew his attention to the renewed attacks by bandits in some parts of Toro Local Government Area.

The Caretaker Chairman of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, Samaila Wakili, who welcomed the governor, lamented that banditry had paralysed economic activities on the busy Magama Gumau-Saminaka road, which links Bauchi State with Kaduna and other North West states. He said that for over 41 days, there was not a single day that people were not kidnapped or robbed on the road.

He said that the local authorities had sought permission from the security agencies to allow the vigilantes and hunters to confront the bandits in their hideouts in Lame/Burra Forest and the surrounding mountains. He said that they had recorded great success and arrested 36 bandits so far.