Kano Deputy Governor tasks media on vigilance as criminal groups adopt sophisticated methods
Kola Oyelere, Kano
Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has raised alarm over the increasing sophistication of criminal groups across the country, warning that government response has not kept pace with emerging security threats.
Speaking while receiving members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel, Kano, in his office, Gwarzo lamented that while other nations deploy advanced technology to confront security challenges, Nigeria has yet to fully embrace similar tools.
“Bandits today are using sophisticated technology to launch attacks, while the government is not doing enough. This is something the media should spotlight by putting pressure on authorities to rise to the challenge,” he said.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the nation is currently at a critical stage and requires a vibrant and vigilant media to hold leaders accountable and expose issues threatening national stability.
“The media should wake up to be more vigilant and dedicated to assessing the nation’s challenges. Nigeria is facing huge problems, and journalists must do more to draw the attention of government to the mounting insecurity across the country,” he stated.
Gwarzo expressed concern over the growing fear among citizens, noting that travelling within the country has become increasingly risky.
“There is fear all over the country. Nobody can travel without praying hard. If there is any group that must take up this task, it is the media—especially Correspondents’ Chapels across the nation,” he emphasized.
He also drew attention to reports that some border communities in Kano have entered informal agreements with bandits to avoid attacks, describing such arrangements as dangerous and detrimental to the security architecture of the state.
“It is our collective responsibility to rise in unison and tackle these challenges together with the media. I commend the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel for sustaining its partnership with the government for the benefit of the state,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, assured the Deputy Governor of the chapel’s commitment to maintaining a constructive and robust relationship with the government while upholding its professional responsibility to the public.
He also called on the office of deputy governor,to carry the correspondent chapel of NUJ along in it’s activities so as to enable them report accurately the event of the state government
Adewale, pledged to maintain a robust relationship with the government to ensure that the interests of the state and its citizens are served.