By Umar Salam.
In recognition of the sombre mood of the state caused by the incessant bandit attacks, the government of Katsina State has announced a cancellation of all activities planned for the inauguration of the new administration.
In a release signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, a copy of which was obtained by INSIDER; the government said the decision became necessary owing to the recent attacks which claimed many lives in the State.
A part of the statement reads, “The decision to do a low-key celebration was taken following the unfortunate incessant attacks by armed bandits in some areas of the state which led to the death of many people and left several others injured and homeless.
“To this end, all activities that are usually organized for the event have been cancelled except the mandatory swearing in of the Governor and the Deputy Governor-elect which is enshrined in section 185 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
While emphasising that the decision to cancel all inauguration activities was also to share in the grief of families who lost their loved ones, the statement requests citizens to intensify prayers for “peace to reign in (Katsina) and the country in general”.
Katsina state has witnessed widely reported cases of banditry and kidnapping since the beginning of the year. Sometime in January, the state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, raised the alarm that his state was under siege and that no one, including himself, was safe.
The situation has however grown worse in recent time. Just last Tuesday, not less than 18 people were reportedly killed in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.