Katsina State government on Thursday said that bandits operating in the state now make use of radio frequency Walkie-Talkie Transceivers for communication among themselves, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.
This was just as the government said that between July and October, the bandits killed 213 victims in 153 operations in different parts of the state. Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Inuwa Mohammad, made this known at a press briefing to give an update on the Government Security Containment Order issued by Governor Aminu Masari two months ago to tackle security challenges in the state.
“A recent and most worrisome move by the criminals was the acquisition and use of Radio Frequency Walkie-Talkie Transceivers,” he stated.
He, however, said the government’s Containment Order of September had drastically reduced banditry and related crimes.
“In July and August, there were 173 reported kidnap incidents affecting 475 people.
“In September and October, however, only 61 kidnap incidents were recorded involving 201 victims, the SSG told newsmen on Thursday in Katsina.
“There were 97 banditry incidents resulting in 130 deaths and 57 injuries in July and August, while in September and October, there were 56 incidents, resulting in 83 deaths and 58 injuries.
“For cattle rustling, statistics showed 141 incidents in July and August when 1,347 cows, 345 sheep, 119 goats and 13 donkeys were stolen.
“In September and October, however, there were 56 rustlings with 676 cows, 109 sheep and 160 goats stolen,’’ he said.
According to him, in an effort to bring the criminals to justice, 480 suspects were arrested between March and September; 42 are under investigation and 216 facing prosecution.
He added that from September till date on the other hand, 244 suspects were arrested; 33 under investigation, and 80 facing prosecution.
