The Katsina government says it will not negotiate with any criminal or group of criminals but will do everything humanly possible to protect the people.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu-Danmusa, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Katsina.

The commissioner reiterated the Katsina government’s determination to end banditry and other security challenges.

Mr Muazu-Danmusa also said the Katsina government was taking the necessary measures to enable the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their respective communities.

He said the Community Security Watch Corps (KCSWC) inauguration by Governor Dikko Radda on October 10 was an indicator of the commitment and determination to restore lasting peace in Katsina.

The commissioner said, “I think Katsina state has the highest number of IDPs in the North-West as a result of insecurity. However, we are making efforts to reverse the negative narrative by putting in place excellent strategies that will address the problem.”

Mr Muazu-Danmusa said the government had benchmarked the salaries of the agency’s operatives based on the national minimum wage.

“We are constructing their offices, providing them with patrol vehicles, motorcycles, weapons, gadgets, among others, for their effective operations. So, we are going in tandem with the provision of the constitution in providing them with all these things,” he said.

The commissioner said the corps was committed to the call to sacrifice their best for their people and communities.

Mr Muazu-Danmusa added, “The members of the corps are indigenes of their respective communities. They have been in the forefront of the fight against the terrorists. They are familiar with the terrain and agreed to protect their people.”

He expressed optimism that with the fervent prayers of the people, the operation would be successful. Mr Muazu-Danmusa also urged the public to intensify efforts in providing credible intelligence information to the security agents to enable them to nip crimes in the bud effectively.

The Katsina government trained and posted 1,466 youths to their respective communities to work with other security agents in the fight against banditry. 

(NAN)