Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has accused some security personnel in the country of collaborating with bandits by collecting ransom.
In a statement on Channels TV’s Politics Today 2024 Review on Tuesday, Mohammed said his frustration, stating that certain members of the security forces were complicit in the crime, which has allowed bandits to operate with impunity.
The governor, who is also the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, called for stricter measures to eliminate these criminals.
He emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in the security forces and underscored the importance of sincere action from both state and federal governments.
“I have a lot of respect for my colleagues at the sub-national level and even at the federal level. I believe we must muster the courage and capacity to do all these things without sparing anybody,” he said.
He further added, “Some key members of the security forces participate in ransom collection. To me, it is very appalling.”
Governor Mohammed stressed the role of local leaders in addressing these issues, pointing out that traditional rulers in Bauchi State were being held accountable for ensuring that they did not engage with bandits.
He also advocated for local government autonomy, which he believes would empower local authorities to tackle issues like security more effectively.
In addition to the security concerns, Governor Mohammed also urged President Bola Tinubu to support the continuation of oil exploration in the Kolmani River region, which lies between Gombe and Bauchi states.
The governor expressed disappointment that the project, which could significantly benefit the North, had seen little progress since the end of the previous administration.
“We saw some bulldozers recently, as if to deceive and delude us. There is not much activity going on in Kolmani River, and it seems they are not very serious about it,” he remarked.
Mohammed appealed to the President for further intervention, highlighting that the project could bring significant benefits, including power generation, refinery, and petrochemical industries to the region.
On a positive note, the governor revealed that the North East Governors were working together to address electricity challenges in their region, leveraging the deregulated electricity sector.
Mohammed also discussed plans to establish a N1.5 billion cement factory in Bauchi, which would help create jobs and boost the local economy.
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