… summons emergency security meeting over current situation in Nigeria
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Friday said he was among those being targeted for attacks by bandits .
Radda made the disclosure in his remarks shortly before the security he summoned went into a closed-door session.
Our correspondent reports that those in attendance at the meeting include some members of the state executive council, the Emirs of Katsina, Abdulmumin Usman and that of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq, as well as heads of various security agencies in the state.
The Governor said that the meeting was summoned to discuss current hardships being faced by Nigerians due to sky- rocketing prices of foodstuffs and the activities of some traders who have chosen to be exporting Nigeria foodstuffs to other parts of Africa,including Niger,Chad and Libya due to weak Naira .
The meeting which started at 10.45 a.m, was still in session as at time this report was being filed ( 12.22 p.m).
Radda said, ” This emergency meeting is called to among others,discussed current situation of food prices which is threatening the existence of the country.
“It’s necessary for us to get all the stakeholders involved so that we can share our options. We can’t take action as government without consulting stakeholders.
” The prices of food stuff are on the increase, which makes it difficult for the poor to purchase which if care is not taken, hunger will enter into people which will in effect bring about crisis and insecurity in the country.
“We can see that protests occurred in Niger and Kano states and we must take measures to avoid it here in Katsina
“I was briefed on factors responsible for the problem. Traders are exporting the food commodity to neighboring Niger, Mali and some parts of Libya because their currency is valuable than ours. They use small amount and buy heavy food stuff for their country.
“We have a report that trailers are being loaded every day with food stuffs by traders and leave it until it goes high before start to sell. We are still in harvesting season but, bag of maize is being sold at about 60,000 Naira with minimum wage stands at 30,000 Naira.
“Imagine how many measures of maize a family man with 10 children can buy in a day talk less of other expenses.
” If no action is taken, the poor will have no option than to start seizing food stuff from anyone found with it. We have to think twice.
“Beside this, bandits have come up with new strategy because most of their informants supplying them with intelligence are nowhere to be found. Instead, they come on rampage and abduct the poor people who have no guarantee of three square meals to sabotage our efforts.They mobilise their colleagues from other states.
” And going by the security reports, I am part of their target but this has not bothered me and will not deter us from our efforts of restoring people because God will protect us.
“These problems if we don’t take it serious, will finish us.
“We encourage people to organize themselves and defend themselves against the bandits.”
