Terrorism: Katsina State recruits 3,000 special vigilante corps

From Abdulganiyu Gambo, Katsina

Katsina State Government has commenced the recruitment of 3000 Special Vigilante Corps to tackle banditry and terrorism.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Katsina, flagged off the inauguration of the special vigilante at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, College of Peace and Disaster Management, Katsina.

Katsina said the training was part of the state government’s resolve to assist communities and improve the security of the state.

He explained that the vigilante would complement the efforts of  conventional security agencies to enforce the law and maintain peace and order.

The special vigilante corps, he said, would be made up of individuals from all works of life, including the academia and judiciary from within communities in the state.

Katsina disclosed that 3,000 were shortlisted, saying the first batch of 600 would be deployed immediately after being trained in weapons handling, armed combat, and detective work.

The SA said the special vigilante would also be expected to assist in intelligence gathering.

He warned unrepentant terrorists to have a rethink or get ready to be crushed.

In his remarks, the Commandant of the Civil Defence College of Peace and Disaster Management, ACG Babangida Dutsinma, pledged to train the special vigilante corps effectively.

Dutsinma said with the current strategies of the state government, Katsina would soon be the most peaceful state in the whole country.