The governor, who said this when he appeared on Channels TV on Monday, claimed that the vigilantes are poorly equipped to face the terrorists, who are locally known as bandits and carry “sophisticated weapons.”.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State lamented the stark reality that local vigilantes, tasked with defending communities against terrorists, are ill-equipped compared to the well-armed militants wreaking havoc in the region.
Appearing on Channels TV on Monday, Governor Sani emphasized the disparity in weaponry, noting that vigilantes struggle to match the sophistication of the terrorists, commonly referred to as bandits, who wield advanced firearms.
Kaduna State has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping, with recent incidents seeing hundreds of children abducted and held captive.
Despite the establishment of local vigilante groups as part of efforts to combat the rampant insecurity plaguing Kaduna and surrounding areas, the situation remains dire.
Governor Sani attributed the vigilantes’ limitations to their inadequate equipment, stating, “Vigilance service cannot hold anything more than pump actions, and these bandits come around with AK-47s and even more sophisticated weapons. That is where we are.”
Expressing the need for state police, Governor Sani argued that granting legal authority for firearms, including AK-47s, would enable communities to defend themselves effectively.
However, until such measures are implemented, the vigilantes rely on collaboration with the military, police, and other security agencies for support and intelligence gathering.
The governor’s remarks coincide with a visit from the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to Kaduna in response to the recent wave of abductions in the state.
Addressing the Kuriga community, where nearly 300 pupils were kidnapped, the CDS described the situation as regrettable but assured residents that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are making every effort to secure the safe return of the children and apprehend the perpetrators
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