Katsina Network Shutdown: Armed bandits use walkie talkies to communicate, says SSG  

Despite the shut down of telecom services in and around Katsina State, armed bandits have devised another means to communicate with the use of walkie talkies.

This was disclosed during a press briefing by the Secretary to the State Government SSG, Dr. Mustapha Inuwa on Thursday.

The shutting down of telecom services early September this year was to clamp down bandits’ activities in the state but the criminals in audacious manner now attack vehicles to draw fuel from their tanks and ransacking communities to steal their valuables all in a bid to carry out their dastard acts, according to Inuwa.

READ ALSO: Police arrest 13 suspected kidnappers, bandits in Katsina

“It is worth noting that since the commencement of the Containment Order, the bandits’ elements across frontline Local Government Areas have been unrelenting in devising new strategies aimed at circumventing the impact of the Containment Order,” he said.

“The recent and most worrisome trend is the acquisition of Radio Frequency Walkie-Talkie Transceivers by the bandits.

”The strategies ranges from “attacking motorists/motorcyclists to siphon PMS from their fuel tanks, ransacking communities and coercing villagers into sourcing PMS on their behalf.  However, the security agencies are on their trail with a view to bringing the malpractice to an end.

“While the State Government is making relentless and concerted efforts to restore peace and security in the frontline Local Government areas and other parts of the State, it is imperative to highlight that the issue of security is everybody’s business. Hence, the need for members of the public’s cooperation with Government in order to succeed,” he advised.

In recent weeks, the state government has recorded successes in the fight against banditry and other related crimes in the state.