Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday, said vigilantes would lead other security operatives to fight bandits in the state.
He stated this when traditional leaders in the state paid him Sallah homage in Government House, Sokoto. The monarchs were led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The governor said vigilantes were very conversant with the forests that served as hideouts for the miscreants.
“We don’t have yan sakai in Sokoto. What we are planning is to form a formidable team of vigilantes in collaboration with the Sultanate Council, who can lead other security operatives to where bandits camped in our forest,” he said.
He, however, noted that the fight against banditry could only succeed with the support of all residents.
According to him, there were locals who were aiding the bandits and must be fished out.
“These people are succeeding in attacking our communities because they have informants among us.
“Our people must, therefore, take the bull by the horn by reporting those they know are into banditry or their informants in their midst to security agencies.
“Because it was only when there is a crack in a wall that a lizard can find a place to hide,” he said.
Some of the traditional rulers expressed concern over the incessant attacks in their communities.