The governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has called for the deployment of more soldiers in Rugu forest neighboring communities to combat cattle rustlers in the state.
The govenor made this call today in Katsina when the General Officer Commanding, 1 Mechanised Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj. Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, paid him a courtesy visit.
“I am calling on the Military authorities to deploy more troops in the Local Government Areas sharing border with Rugu forest. The forest shares border with Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger states, and stretches up to Niger Republic, Central African Republic and Mali.
“The forest was established for the purpose of providing grazing land for herdsmen, breeding and diary production, but is now turned into hiding place for criminals and armed robbers,” he stated.
The governor argued that unless urgent action was taken, cattle rustlers and other criminal elements would continue to use the forest to perpetrate their activities.
He stated cow theft should be given all attention so that insurgents would not have the opportunity of using the forest to perfect their plans.
The governor stated that his administration was ready to give all necessary support needed to flush out the criminals.
Oyebade had told the governor that he was in the state as part of his familiarisation tour of military formations in the North-West.
The GOC commended the state government for supporting the military to discharge its duties effectively in the state.
He assured Masari that the military would continue to intensify efforts at curbing the menace of cattle rustlers and other forms of crimes in the state.
Oyebade also condoled with the state government over the death of some pilgrims from Kastina during the Makkah stampede.