Declare State Of Emergency Now – Katsina Indigenes Tell Buhari

Some indigenes of Katsina state have urged the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari to urgently declare a state of emergency over the insecurity in the state.

The call was made by a group identified as the Indigenous People of Katsina based in Abuja.

The group explained that it is worried by the incessant attacks and killings by insurgents and bandits, adding that it fears the state government may not be able to manage the security situation successfully.

To this end, the group through its deputy spokesman who is also a leader of Concerned Katsina Youth Vanguard, Shamsudeen Danasibi Faskari, called on the federal government to move in and safe the state from the senseless killings by the insurgents which has almost become a daily occurrence.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja the nation’s capital, Faskari added that the residents of the state now live in perpetual fear and are not sure of the safety of their lives and property.

He said: “Precisely December 2019, we spoke eloquently through the press on the state of armed attack, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of Katsina state. On that very occasion, we came up with a catalogue of 29 different cases of bandit attacks all in the month of December, 2019.

“However, we observed that after our landmark press conference held last December 2019, normalcy was restored to the area. Regrettably, that relative peace was cut short as bandit attacks resumed in full swing in March, 2020, extending their operations to other parts of the state.

The statement warned that should the government fail to heed their call and guarantee the safety of the people of the state, they would be left with no choice than to take to self-defence.

“We have watched with a heavy heart how our people are being slaughtered like sheep and goats. We have also watched helplessly how communities are being invaded and how families and kindred are being wiped out by bandits, while security agencies appear helpless.

“We have crossed the Rubicon and there is no turning back. Therefore, we are calling on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency imposed a state of emergency on the state.

“Federal Government should take over the security apparatus of the state until lives and property of citizens are guaranteed. The lives of our people is far more precious than any office.

“In case, government fails to take immediate action towards restoration of peace in the state, then we have no option than to resort to self-defence which might lead to a threat to national peace and security. We did not pray that Nigeria gets to that level of lawlessness because we have too many battles in our hands as a nation.”

President Buhari is from Katsina State.