The Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa says the Governor Aminu Masari administration is frustrated over the continued operation of bandits in the state.
He disclosed this in an interview with Daily Trust while absolving the state government of blame over the scourge.
“I can say that as a government, we felt frustrated because people were accusing us of not doing what we were supposed to do,” Inuwa said.
The SSG explained that since the military and other security agencies were controlled by the Federal Government, there was little the state government could do to bring an end to the security crisis.
However, Inuwa said that the present administration has continued to engage the military and other stakeholders in a bid to find a lasting solution to the situation.
“The Katsina State Government has been doing its best to end the activities of bandits. But you see, the governor has a limitation when it comes to dealing with Federal Government’s apparatuses like the military, police and other security agencies.
“We have been clamouring for intervention in the area of security. We raised many issues regarding the insecurity in Katsina. We held meetings with top military officers and other stakeholders and told them our positions.
“I can say that as a government, we felt frustrated because people were accusing us of not doing what we were supposed to do. But we are doing our best; it is only that we have limitations. One fundamental issue our people don’t seem to understand is that the role of the state government, as far as security is concerned, is limited.
“The governor is the chief security officer of his state, but does he have control over security agencies? Can the governor buy equipment, machinery and so on, for security agencies?
“People should understand the role the Federal Government is supposed to play in tackling security issues. What the state government is doing in most cases is complementary; it assists. That is why sometimes when you have a governor who is not in good terms with the Federal Government, you find a lot of things happening to his detriment in the achievement of security in his state.
“But when he is in a good relationship with them, you find the security agencies working harmoniously. So, it is very important for people to understand the role each organ of government is supposed to play,” Inuwa said.
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