The Katsina State Elders Forum are seeking the deployment of additional operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the state.

The forum made the plea on Monday when its members paid a courtesy visit to the commandant-general of the NSCDC, Ahmed Audi.

A member, Abba Ali, who spoke during the visit said it was concerned about the security architecture of Katsina State.

He added that the forum believed that reinforcement of NSCDC operatives with additional men would help to tackle insecurity in the state.

In his remarks, the forum’s secretary, Aliyu Sani, said collaboration with the NSCDC to ensure the deployment of additional men was of priority to the group.

“We are pleading with you to help in deploying those whose forecast system is to identify key areas,” he said.

He requested for more NSCDC personnel, particularly Agro Rangers, to function at the frontline of local government areas of the state where bandits always terrorised.

Another member, Saddik Mahuta, the Galadiman Katsina, said the state government was set to recruit about 3,000 vigilantes to complement the efforts of the NSCDC.

“We are up and doing in complementing the activities of security agencies in the state. We urge you to provide more logistics for your personnel in the state,” he said.

Responding, Mr Audi said that he had taken into consideration the requests of the forum members.

“Agro Rangers is a specialised unit that has the function of giving security and protection to farmers and agro-allied functions.

“We have posted already to areas with farming boost and we will do more. We have gotten approval to recruit more personnel after the budget is passed next year.

“The recruits will be trained and posted to states as the civil defence is doing its best to ensure the successful end to this crisis,” he said.

(NAN)