Katsina Chief Judge, Justice Musa Abubakar, on Friday said that the state had begun prosecution of those who have violated the recent Security Containment Order issued by Governor Aminu Masari to tackle security challenges in the state.
He stated this in Katsina during a special prayer session in support of current security operations going on in the Northwest states to contain banditry and other security challenges in the zone.
The prayer session was organised by a non governmental organisation, the Coalition of Northern Groups.
Justice Abubakar said the security containment orders were informed by an ‘unusual situation,’ which he said required ‘an unusual action.’
He, however, maintained that Governor Masari acted within the ambit of the law by issuing the orders.
Justice Abubakar declared, “Law is law which must be obeyed. What Governor Aminu Masari has done is legal and constitutional.
“If he had acted otherwise, everybody will be on his own. We have started arresting and prosecuting those who violate the Security Containment Order. I urge people to support the government and obey the orders. It is part of efforts to further protect residents of the state from banditry and sundry crimes.”
The CNC National Chairman, Nastura Sherif, explained that the Coalition decided to organize the prayers in all Northern states to seek the face of God in seeing to the end of banditry and other crimes in the North and in other parts of Nigeria.
He said similar prayers were held in Kano last Friday, adding the prayers would still be held in other parts of the North.
Sherif said: “We are organising the prayers because we are encouraged by the current synergy between the Federal Government and the states Government in combating banditry, kidnapping , cattle rustling and other crimes.
“From what we are hearing, the new approach by the security operatives to tackle banditry and other crimes has begun to yield positive results and we believe organizing these kinds of prayers is our own contribution towards ending the crimes in the North and in other parts of Nigeria.
“We pray that the current approach by our gallant security operatives would lead to the end of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, etc.
“My prayer as well as that of other members of the Coalition is that we have peace and stability in the North and in other parts of the country. We held similar prayers in Kano last Friday; today is Katsina’s turn and we shall hold the prayers in other parts of the Northwest. I will suggest to our people to also organize similar prayers in their various communities. What we want in Nigeria now, is peace and stability.’
Governor Masari had last month, issued the Security Containment Order to tackle banditry and other crimes in Katsina state.
The order included the closure of Jibia-Gurbin-Baure road and that of Kankara-Sheme to commercial vehicles.
Other measures contained in the order also included immediate suspension of sales of animals at markets in fourteen Local Government Areas of the state and restriction in the operation of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 10 p.m to 6 a.m in the state capital, Katsina and from 6 p.m to 6 a.m in all the Frontline Local Government Areas with high records of bandits’ attacks in the state, among others.
