Katsina network ban inflicting more pain on citizens, compounding insecurity – Jamilu Charanchi

The Northwest Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Group, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi has condemned the ban placed on mobile networks in some Local Government Areas of Katsina State as a measure to curb the menace of bandits.

DAILY POST had reported recently that the state government lifted the ban on telecoms network in 10 out of the 17 Frontline LGAs where it claimed had witnessed significant improvement in the security situation.

In an exclusive chat with DAILY POST on Sunday, Comrade Jamilu said the ban on mobile phone services in 7 LGAs in the state has only succeeded in inflicting more injuries on the citizens.”

Unlike the neighbouring northwestern states of Kaduna and Zamfara where the ban was lifted completely, Katsina only lifted the ban in the following 10 LGAs – Kurfi, Dutsinma, Matazu, Musawa Malumfashi, Dandume, Bakori, Funtua, Kafur and Danja. This has created anxiety in the others LGAs.

Speaking on the development, Comrade Jamilu said, “I see no reason why government should still hold down the networks why the bandits had already devised other means of communicating with their victims or those they have kidnapped. The bandits have so many ways of reaching out. In fact, they have even introduced a new method, whereby they will take two people, then discharge one to go and bring money at ‘so-so’ time and ‘so-so’ place. Besides, they can move freely to find out wherever they can at least source for a network to negotiate for the ransome of their kidnappers. So, why would government hold the network? It has no use. It is only inflicting another injury on the good citizens not on the bandits.”

According to him, “We have reports that the bandits are using Turaya Cellular phones to reach out to wherever and whoever they want to reach out to. Irrespective of whether it is a short or long range. Whatever it is, they have created another means to beat it. So, the government has no reason whatsoever to hold on access to telephone services in the remaining local governments. They should allow the citizens to enjoy their lives.”

Jamilu added that allowing the residents in the bandits prone areas access to mobile phone services “would help them to communicate with security agents whenever there is an attack or impending attack as they are able to monitor the movements of the bandits or kidnappers and then inform another village that these people are moving from “so-so” place to another place so that the people can either get prepared or take what they need and run away from the area or inform the security agents.

The 7 local governments in Katsina State where citizens have continually been denied access to mobile telecom services for about 4 months now include Faskari, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa and Jibia.