By Adedapo Adesanya
The Katsina State Government has ordered the restoration of telecommunications services in the 13 local government areas hitherto affected by banditry.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on Security Matters, Mr Ibrahim Katsina, who also said the directive followed a relative peace in the affected councils.
In September, the Katsina State government ordered the removal of the GSM network in the 13 council areas mostly affected by banditry.
The local government areas were Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Kurfi, Danmusa, Dutsin-Ma, Kankara, Matazu, Musawa, Funtua, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Bakori, Danja and Malumfashi.
Following the decision then, Governor Masari also announced the ban of commercial mobile phone charging points in 19 out of 34 LGAs in the state saying, “We believe it’s also an area that is helping the bandits to acquire means of communication.”
He explained that the security measures taken by the state government would affect residents economically but it was necessary to take them in order to restore normalcy and stop bandits and their collaborators from having access to communication and other means of livelihood.
“We believe with this and other further measures that we are taking with the Federal Ministry of Communications would also help in restoring normalcy to our respective communities.
“Further instructions and directives affecting Funtua, Malumfashi and Bakori Local Government Areas are coming today (Monday). We have to restrict the sale of fuel in these local governments as well. And we are looking at the possibility of curbing further communications in these local governments.
“The security measures taken by the state government might hurt residents economically but it is necessary to take this now to forestall worse situation if these bandits and their collaborators are allowed free access to communication and other means of livelihood.
“It is important we realise that our number one enemies are informants. So, we must tackle and deal with them in accordance with the law,” he said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka