Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, has described as shocking and regrettable how some marabouts offer prayer services for bandits and kidnappers.

Inuwa made this assertion while speaking at the graduation of 510 trainees under the Katsina State inter-local government maiden skills acquisition programme on Tuesday.

Said he, “It beats my imagination how some so called marabouts are offering prayer services for bandits and kidnappers to succeed in their criminality.”

The SSG who attributed the spate of kidnappings in the society to the hand work of informants, said those involved in such act, most times are those close to the victim.

“A kidnapper will not come to your house without the information from someone close to you. A stranger from the bush cannot just come to town and locate your house without someone guiding them.”

Inuwa appealed to people to be security conscious and always report any suspicious movements to the relevant security agencies.

He however tasked the trainees that are largely women to make good use of the skills they acquired in improving their economic status.

He noted that in any empowerment initiative the state government target women.

“We target women because most times their husbands leave them with the responsibility of looking after the children. Some of them even have orphans to cater for” he stressed.

He said government initiate these programmes to make people self reliant as according to him “the government cannot provide employment for all”.

The SGS called on the beneficiaries to be prudent and honest in managing the working tools and funds provided for them. (Daily Independent)