The governor disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating a committee on monitoring and enforcement of security challenges (Containment) order he recently signed at the Government House.

The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, says his administration is considering the need to shut down telecoms services in some Local Government Areas as part of fresh measures to contain banditry in the state.

The governor disclosed this on Monday while inaugurating a committee on monitoring and enforcement of security challenges (Containment) order he recently signed at the Government House.

The affected LGAs are Funtua, Bakori and Malumfashi.
Masari, also announced the ban of commercial mobile phone charging points in 19 out of 34 LGA, saying, “We believe it’s also an area that is helping the bandits to acquire means of communication.”

He explained that the security measures taken by the state government would affect residents economically but it was necessary to take them in order to restore normalcy and stop bandits and their collaborators from having access to communication and other means of livelihood.

“We believe with this and other further measures that we are taking with the Federal Ministry of Communication, would also help in restoring normalcy to our respective communities.

“Further instructions and directives affecting Funtua, Malumfashi and Bakori Local Government Areas are coming today (Monday). We have to restrict the sale of fuel in these local governments as well. And we are looking at the possibility of curbing further communications in these local governments.

“The security measures taken by the state government might hurt residents economically but it is necessary to take this now to forestall worse situation if these bandits and their collaborators are allowed free access to communication and other means of livelihood.

“It is important we realise that our number one enemies are informants. So, we must tackle and deal with them in accordance with the law.”

This is coming few days after the Zamfara State Government ordered all telecom operators to shut down their networks in the state.

Katsina, despite being the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, has witnessed sporadic attacks by bandits and kidnappers that have claimed the lives of many.

Over 700 people have been reportedly killed by the gunmen in Jibia, Kankara, Dutsinma, Musawa, Danmusa and Safana LGAs of the state in the last five months.