Insecurity: Katsina inaugurates committee to recruit 2,400 volunteer cadets

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State on Tuesday inaugurated an ad hoc committee to recruit no fewer than 2,400 local security cadet volunteers to provide security in various parts of the state ravaged by the marauding activities of terrorists and armed bandits.

Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement, said the committee, chaired by Major General Junaidu Bindawa (rtd), a former General Officer Commanding, GOC, 7th Division, Nigerian Army, has eight weeks to submit its report to the state government.

The Katsina Governor charged the committee members to recruit the best among Katsina youths for the voluntary job in order to boost security in the eight frontline local governments of Batsari, Jibia, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Sabuwa, Faskari and Dandume, bedeviled by pervasive banditry.

As contained in the statement, Gov. Radda said the Bindawa-led committee also has “the mandate of advising the government on how to systematize the payment of allowances and the purchase of equipment for the volunteered officers and as well determine whether it is appropriate to include vigilantes men in the scheme or otherwise.

“Furthermore, the committee would also suggest how these new officers should be given special training to carry out their duties properly in their respective communities.

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“In addition, the committee would also advise on how to successfully kick start the programme. It also has a free hand to bring in any community member whom they consider suitable for making the programme successful.”

The ad hoc committee, which has the Deputy Director of Security in the Governor’s Office, Hamza Audi Kofar Bai as its secretary, also has the following members: DIG Mai Gari Dikko (rtd), AVM Sadiq S. Kaita (rtd), and Maj. Garba

Mohammed Rimi (rtd).

Other members of the committee included representatives from the Nigeria Police, Army, Air Force, DSS, Civil Defense, civil society groups, the head of the Vigilante Patrol Group in Katsina State, and representatives from the Emirates of Katsina and Daura.