The Chairman of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara, Alhaji Salisu-Isah Dangulbi, said on Monday that the state needs more security personnel to effectively address its lingering security challenges.
Dangulbi, who is the Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, made the assertion while speaking with newsmen in Gusau.
He said that Zamfara, with over 4 million people, has only about 3000 security personnel, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“We really thank the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for increasing the number of security personnel in this state to about 3000.
“ I think before the coming of this administration, we had only about 200 Army personnel in Zamfara.
“We really appreciate the efforts of the president in addressing security challenges facing the state; we are aware that he has so far visited this state twice, since his tenure.
“He was at Dansadau in 2016 when he inaugurated the Operation Harbin-Kunama of the Nigerian Army.
“He was also in this state early this year for a town hall meeting on addressing its security challenges, so we really appreciate Mr President in this regard,’’ he said.
“We also appreciate security operatives in this state over their giant strides toward addressing the problems; in spite of their shortage in number, they are doing their best in this regard.’’
Dangulbi also thanked Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari, for introducing the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state, saying that it would support security agencies to carry out their job.
“We all know the efforts that the Civilian JTF made in supporting government in tackling Boko Haram in Borno State; we really appreciate this and it is indeed a welcome development.
“Within one week of introducing this Civilian JTF in this state, we have started seeing changes and we are going to give maximum support to government in order to achieve the desired objectives,’’ he said.
Dangulbi, however, warned politicians to shun politicising issues of security in the state.
“I think the issue of security is beyond politics, we should not condemn our dear state because of politics.
“We should cooperate and support government at all levels to address these challenges, irrespective of our party affiliations,’’ he said.
The council chairman urged people of the state to consider the problems as a test from God and continue with prayers and seek Allah’s interventions to overcome the problems.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari had last week announced the decision of the state government to employ 500 Civilian JTF in each of the 17 Emirates of the state.
This is part of the state government’s measures to tackle security challenges in the state.
The governor also announced the reward of N1 million to any person or community that is able to an AK47 riffle from bandits. (NAN)