How Masari raised the alarm over kidnappings in Katsina State

Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari has raised the alarm over the high rate of kidnappings in the state.

Masari, who described the situation as unfortunate, said kidn

apping had remained one of the major security challenges facing the state.

He said the problem had now reached threatening stage, but that efforts were being made to address the situation.

The governor spoke yesterday when he received senior members of the judiciary and security agencies who paid him Sallah homage at the Government House.

The state in recent months had witnessed kidnapping of family members of prominent business owners as well as Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).

The kidnappings, according to reports, had led to payment of ransom running into several millions of naira.

But the governor said his administration, in collaboration with security agencies, had succeeded in addressing problem of rustling, and that plans were on to tackle the kidnapping problem head-on.

He also said government had been able to limit the problem of armed robbery, which had bedevilled some parts of the state in recent months.

Masari, who, however, said security agencies needed to map out a plan to effectively deal with the situation, also called for synergy between the police and judiciary in the area of prosecuting and conviction of suspected criminals.

However, leader of the delegation and the state chief judge, Justice Musa Danladi, who gave the assurance that the judiciary and security agencies would work to assist in addressing security and related challenges.