By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The Isa Local Government Council in Sokoto state has refuted a social media user allegation against the council of failure to act upon an alert on movement of suspected bandits from a particular village within the area.
Isa LG Council Chairman,
While the Council’s attention was drawn to the allegation, it described as false, misleading, and did not reflect the reality on ground.
Reacting to the allegation in a release issued weekend by Hon. Sharehu Abubakar Kamarawa, Chairman, Isa local government Area, said upon
receiving the alert, the local government authority immediately took proactive steps by mobilizing local security guards and notifying the relevant security agencies for swift action.
Kamarawa said security personnel were swiftly deployed to the location to forestall any attack.
” Unfortunately, subsequent intelligence revealed that the bandits had diverted through another route outside the initially reported area, leading to the unfortunate incident”, he said.
Accordingly , the Council Boss added” As a result of what the LGA termed as negligence of duty, the LGA called for the removal of the commander in charge of the area, and he was immediately replaced with another officer today to ensure improved coordination and accountability going forward.”
He further explained that Isa local government has remained fully committed and responsive in addressing security challenges across all communities disclosing that over the past months, the Council has consistently supported security agencies with logistics, operational allowances, fuel, and other essential materials to enhance their operational capacity.
Besides, Kamarawa said the Council has strengthened and prioritized the welfare of the local vigilante groups while ensuring their continuous readiness to collaborate with security formations to protect lives and property.
Hitherto, Kamarawa said Council sympathized deeply with the families and communities affected by the latest attack.
” On behalf of the government and people of Isa local government, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and assured them that the State Government and the Local Government remain 100% committed to restoring lasting peace and stability in the area.”
The Council Boss reiterated that security was a collective responsibility calling on residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies rather than spreading unfounded allegations that could demoralize those working tirelessly to keep our communities safe.
However, Kamarawa commended governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for his interventions and measures taken to combat banditry threats among which include the distribution of hundreds of patrol vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies, and the reinstatement of monthly operational allowances for security personnel, which had been halted by the previous administration.
” Our governor has also established the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, a homegrown security outfit designed to work alongside conventional forces and facilitated the establishment of an air component for Operation Fansan Yamma as a major step in enhancing rapid aerial response to security threats in our localities.
Meanwhile, the release said the government has also announced plans to recruit additional personnel into the State Neighbourhood Initiative and the Sokoto Marshals, as part of efforts to strengthen community security .
While reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting all security operations aimed at curbing banditry and other criminal activities to the barest minimum, Kamarawa said all efforts would be sustained towards ensuring lasting peace in the local government.
