Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, has dismissed reports that villages in the northern parts of the State are under the control of Lakurawa, a dreaded new Islamic terror group, describing such reports as pure imagination by online news reporters.
Tafida assured that the state government has strengthened security measures across communities against any security breach.
On Monday, the Kebbi Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, was reported to have sent a high-powered delegation to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa over the incursion of a new Islamic terror group known as Lakurawa into the State.
The SOS message to the CDS came in the wake of an attack on Mera town in Augie Local Government Area of the State, and reported killing of 17 people.
Recalling the attack while addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi to update them on the security of the village attacked by the bandits, Tafida disclosed that the State Government, along with National Assembly members and ministers from Kebbi, “provided significant financial support to the victims’ families of the “17 heroic youths of the town who confronted the gunmen, also inflicting fatal injuries on some of the attackers.”
“Governor Nasir Idris donated N50 million, Senator Bagudu N30 million, National legislators N10 million, while the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, donated N2.5 million,” Tafida stressed.
The Deputy Governor further stated that a high powered delegation sent to meet with the Chief of Defence Staff to address the situation has held fruitful discussions with the CDS to combat the menace.
The delegation. headed by former Kebbi State Governor and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, include Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah; APC National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu; and former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barrister Nasiru Junju.
Tafida assured the people of Kebbi that the government remains committed to protecting their lives and property, urging the citizenry to collaborate with security operatives to bring an end to banditry and other forms of criminality.
He made it clear that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Nasir Idris would continue to adopt appropriate strategies to ensure the safety of all residents.
