By Ismail Auwal
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has on Thursday charged residents of the state to take up arms and defend themselves against bandits.
Mohammed during a condolence visit to Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area where bandits killed 20 people in Rimi Village recently said the situation was an “unacceptable trend” that must be stopped at all cost.
“You are known to be warriors. You should not allow bad elements to subdue you; defend your land and liberate yourselves.
”From now on, anyone who comes to attack or kill you, defend yourselves. Attack and kill him; they can’t stop us from living in peace,” he said.
Many of the residents were said to have been injured by the bandits in what appeared to be a reprisal.
The attack came after the Police, in collaboration with vigilance group members, killed 12 suspected bandits in a forest in the district.
Describing the killings as unfortunate, the governor said it was worrisome that banditry in the area was getting out of hand.
The Governor who also charged security agencies to shoot on sight “bandits and criminals who come to terrorise and killing our people” further urged the people to search themselves and bring out the bad eggs amongst them who are serving as informant to the bandits stressing that without inside information, the bandits cannot operate.
He assured that his administration would continue to work assiduously in collaboration with the security agencies operating in the state to protect lives and properties of innocent citizens.
