The Kebbi State Government has said that improved security and the return of peace have helped the revival of economic activities in communities across the state’s southern region previously plagued by banditry.
Kebbi State governor’s chief press secretary, Ahmed Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued to Newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
According to the statement, the director in charge of security, AbdulRahman Usman, confirmed the development, saying that peace and stability had been restored and socio-economic activities had already commenced in the southern part of the state.
He recalled that people in the area, particularly Danko/Wasagu Local Government, had hitherto experienced problems of insecurity, which forced them out of their respective villages to seek refuge in cities, other towns, and villages.
This, according to him, had prevented them from undertaking their farming business and other socio-economic and commercial activities in their homes for some years.
The director, however, noted with satisfaction that “with the coming of the present administration, under the able leadership of Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, the people of Kebbi South have regained their freedom and commenced their business activities.”
He identified Danko Wasagu Local Government as one of the worst-hit LGAs but is now witnessing peace and stability that was never noticed before, adding that for more than four years the people did not enjoy peace, “all socio-economic activities in the area have been grounded, farming activities stalled, villages deserted, no peace, no development.
Many villages across Danko/Wasagu LGA which are neighbouring villages of Niger and Zamfara states are now returning home, harvesting their farm produce in view of the relative peace in the area.
“Commercial activities are picking up while commercial vehicles are playing the road at any hour of the day without fear of molestation, harassment, or abduction by kidnappers,” he said.
While appreciating the people of the area for their collective and individual prayers for Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Usman advised them to sustain the good gesture for the governor to do more in addressing the needs of security agencies towards greater performance.
The director encouraged the people to cooperate and support the security agencies with credible intelligence to enable them to discharge their duties diligently to secure the lives and property of the citizenry.