By Aliyu Dangida
As part of its decisive measures to contain the further spread of banditry in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Bello Masari has ordered the total closure of all mobile phone commercial charging points.
Governor Masari gave the order while inaugurating a 13-member State Monitoring and Enforcement Committee on Security Challenges Containment Order, recently signed by him.
The decision according to the governor was aimed at strengthening the ongoing fight against banditry by all the 7 Northwest State governments which he described as the first of its kind, added that this is because it is believed that it aids bandits to communicate.
The committee which is headed by the Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, is charged to do all things possible, to ensure the restoration of peace and security back to the state.
According to the Governor, the constitution and the inauguration of the committee members were to ensure that there is total compliance with the recent security challenges containment order signed by him.
Governor Masari further stated that the government is discussing with the Nigerian Communications Commission to see the possibilities of enforcing stringent measures in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, “but for now, i have directed the immediate shut down of all mobile phone commercial charging points, to blank bandits from accessing information”. He said.
The 4 terms of references issued to the members of the committee include monitoring and ensuring compliance to the security challenges containment order recently signed, to coordinate its enforcement by the local government 3 tier security structures in the Local Government Areas affected by the order.
The 17 local government areas affected by the order are Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Dandume, Musawa, Matazu, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Danja, Kafur, Mai’adua, Kaita and Baure.