Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has dismissed as false recent reports suggesting that his administration engaged foreign mercenaries to tackle banditry in the state, insisting that Nigeria’s security agencies are fully capable of handling the challenge.
Speaking on Tuesday while hosting the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, Idris said his government had no reason to look outside the country for help, given the commitment and professionalism of the Nigerian military and other security agencies operating in the state.
“This is not true. I will never engage anyone from outside. Our security agencies are doing their best, and I’m fully satisfied with their performance,” the governor said.
The governor commended the Armed Forces and other security operatives for their efforts in restoring peace and protecting lives and property across Kebbi, pledging continued collaboration and support from the state government.
He said his administration had been providing logistics and operational vehicles to boost the morale and efficiency of security personnel deployed across the state’s troubled areas.
Earlier, the CDS praised the governor for what he described as remarkable progress in infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, and security, saying Birnin Kebbi had been completely transformed within a short period.
“Last year, I was in Birnin Kebbi, and it wasn’t like this. Before making my remarks, I must commend your giant strides. You have achieved so much in infrastructure, education, agriculture, health, and security,” Musa stated.
He also lauded the governor’s consistent support for the military, which, he said, had significantly improved operations against banditry and other forms of criminality in the state.
General Musa promised that the Armed Forces would sustain ongoing operations to ensure peace and stability in Kebbi and across the country, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to aid security efforts.
