In Katsina, Gov. Masari bans NGOs from visiting IDPs camps

…..says prolong stay in camp increasing banditry

By our reporter

Aug. 10, 2020 – Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari has placed a ban on Non Government Organizations visiting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, explaining that their prolong stay in the camps was leading to increased banditry.

Masari issued the warning on Monday at the Army Special Super Camp IV, Faskari, stressing that the State government will not allow these NGOs under whatever guise into our IDPs camps.

The governor assured that the State government will strengthen efforts in restoring security for them the IDPs to return to their respective homes.

“We know that the fight against bandits and banditry is not over but we can handle our displaced persons adequately because we have sufficient food, clothing, shelter and security for them.

“While we strengthen efforts in restoring security for them the IDPs to return to their respective homes.

“We want the IDPs to return to their homes as soon as possible, because leaving them at the camp is what is giving opening for those wanting to prolong the banditry,” Masari said.

Commending the military for their renewed effort in fighting the bandits in the North West, Masari said the government needs to take more kinetic and administrative actions that would completely end the menace.

He lamented that the 1976 local government reforms had stripped district heads of powers to effectively intervene in such situations.

The governor, however, said that the state government had formed committees to revisit the Act in order to give powers to traditional rulers, from the district upward, with a view to sustaining the peace so far achieved.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, who had led the governor on a tour of the camp where they were shown the capacity of soldiers and weapons for onslaught to decimate the bandits.

Buratai who was represented by the Army Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. Enoch Udo thanked the governor for the visit and support to the troops.

He assured that the Army would continue to push until banditry is completely eliminated in the North West zone.