Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, the Bauchi State governor on Monday announced the donation of 30 motorcycles and a sum of N10 million to a vigilante group in Tafawa Balewa local government of the state to motivate them and ensure local security is carried out in the area.
He stated this during a sympathy visit to the Lere community recently attacked by bandits, confirming that security operatives have killed 60 suspected kidnappers and rescued 29 victims in the area.
According to Bala, the feat was achieved through collaborative efforts between the Police, vigilantes and hunters in the area.
He said that eight AK-47 rifles and many rounds of ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers in the Lere district of the local council.
According to Bala, the aim of the donation was to boost and encourage the security operatives to carry out their activities effectively, noting that bandits would have no hiding place in the state.
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He added that plans are underway by his administration to recruit 20,000 youths that would support conventional security agencies in the maintenance of peace across the state.
While speaking, Jamilu Aliyu Bawa, the Lere district Head explained that the local vigilantes and hunters in the area were battle-ready to ensure that the bandits were completely flushed out while the remaining victims in captivity were safely rescued.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Auwal commended the governor for the effort to support security agencies and assured that the police and other security agencies would continue to guide the local security outfits on the best security strategy.
In April, the operatives of the Police announced the arrest of four suspected kidnappers during a raid on their hideout on a mountain between the Dass and Tafawa Balewa Local Government Areas of the state.
Another community ravaged by kidnap activities is Bala’s hometown of Alkaleri where hundreds of locals were kidnapped and many could not return.
Last month, security agencies stated that they had secured the release of 33 kidnap victims in the area.
However, a few hours later, gunmen kidnapped a serving police officer in Toro Local Government.
Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri and Toro are all in Bauchi South senatorial zone.
