From Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Katsina State chapter, has expressed concern over the failure of governors in the state to sign death warrants for persons sentenced to death by courts, saying the situation is contributing to the worsening insecurity in the state.
The Chairman of the association, Barrister Shafiu Umar, stated this during a stakeholders’ security meeting organised by the Katsina State Police Command.
Umar said the NBA had observed that no governor in the state had signed a death warrant in the last 20 years, describing the development as a serious concern to relevant stakeholders.
According to him, several inmates sentenced to death are currently awaiting execution in various correctional facilities across the state.
“Police will arrest bandits or criminals, take them to court, and they are sentenced to death, but governors are not signing death warrants. The situation is worsening insecurity in Katsina,” he said.
The NBA chairman noted that some of the convicts, after spending many years waiting for execution, are later pardoned, released, and reintegrated into society.
He urged governors to expedite the execution process for those sentenced to death, saying it would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
Speaking at the meeting, the Katsina State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Yanduna, called on the police authorities to provide modern equipment and train officers in line with emerging security technologies.
He also appealed for scholarships for children of police officers who lost their lives while fighting insecurity, while urging authorities to address the welfare of retired police officers, especially their monthly pension, which he described as inadequate.
Earlier, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, directed district heads to identify, arrest, and hand over informants allegedly working with bandits to security agencies.
Represented by the Marafan Katsina, Aminu Marafa, the Emir commended security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the state.
In his remarks, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the North West, Suleiman Mohammed, said the stakeholders’ meeting was organised to engage organisations, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies, and traditional institutions in finding solutions to insecurity.
He disclosed that the police authorities plan to recruit 50,000 officers, adding that the exercise would become an annual programme.
The DIG further stated that police officers would be trained on the use of Artificial Intelligence in areas of arrest and investigation.
He assured participants that their recommendations and suggestions would be considered, while commending them for their contributions towards making the meeting successful.
Correspondent reports that the security situation in Katsina State was extensively discussed during the meeting, with religious leaders, traditional rulers, NGOs, and other stakeholders offering suggestions on ways to address insecurity.