The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, has urged citizens residing in the state to arm themselves so as to protect themselves from incessant attacks by bandits now bedevilling the Northwest region of Nigeria.
According to BBC Hausa, Masari said there were not up to 3000 police operatives in Katsina State. He promised that the government would assist citizens who would want to acquire arms so as to contribute in restoring the security situation
According to him, “security is everybody’s affair, irrespective of political difference.What the public should know is that in Katsina; you don’t have 3000 police. Therefore,we are calling on whoever wants to protect himself and his family to acquire arms.”
He said; “the religion of Islam has allowed a person to protect himself and his property and family.
“If you die in the course of protecting yourself, you die a martyr. The annoying fact is that bandits have access to guns and good people don’t have access to these guns with which they can use to protect themselves and their families.
We will assist those who want to bring in arms because there is need for the people of Katsina to support the security agents,” he said.
The Governor, however, criticised the activities of vigilantes, saying “we do not trust the activities of vigilantes because they are leaving their places of origin to other towns.
“We prefer people defending their places of origin themselves,” he said.
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