Markus Bitrus, the interim leader of the Bogoro Local Government Area in Bauchi State LGA, has expressed outrage over the ongoing kidnappings in the Council.
He claimed that over the course of the last two months, Bogoro has seen seven instances of kidnapping for ransom.
Bitrus made this statement on Tuesday during a visit to the affected areas to ask traditional and religious leaders for their cooperation in reducing abduction for ransom and other security issues plaguing the region.
In order to combat local insecurity, he urged ongoing cooperation between the local council and traditional leaders.
He said, “I’m here to let you know about certain security problems that have plagued our LGA. As you may remember, a young woman was recently kidnapped and released after a sizable ransom was paid. The Chairman urged everyone present to “wake up and be vigilant.”
He gave the traditional chiefs instructions to promptly produce a list of all foreigners living in their domains who are not Bogoro LGA natives.
“I want to advise you to create a list of foreign residents in your area who are not Bogoro LGA natives. I want to use this opportunity to inform you that the council has banned all forms of night grazing beginning today, the 21st of August 2023.
“This is not being done to persecute any individual or group of individuals. But the purpose is to protect our people’s lives and property.
I want to say that anyone found to be causing a security issue or grazing at night will be detained and prosecuted,” he said.