Fafi MP Yakub calls for more police vehicles to improve security, ease mobility

Fafi Member of Parliament Salah Yakub is calling on the government to increase the number of police vehicles in the area, saying the move will help improve security and ease mobility.

Yakub was speaking on Sunday during a development tour in Alinjugur and Borehole 5.

During the tour, the legislator also held meetings with residents, education officials, and security agencies in the area. 

The constituency has in the past witnessed a series of attacks orchestrated by the Al Shabaab militants.

The militants take at advantage of its vastness and the inability of the security apparatus to carry out patrols and operations due to the limited number of vehicles.

Several police officers, police reservists and civilians have lost their lives.

Communication masts belonging to mobile telephone operators have also been destroyed during the attacks.

Yakub said that his constituency has unique security challenges compared to others among them its vastness and proximity to the Somali border.

He said that it was practically impossible to expect one vehicle stationed in a police post to attend to security issues saying that the poor roads have largely contributed to the vehicles wearing off often.

“It is an open secret that Fafi Constituency is among the vast constituencies. We have had security challenges orchestrated by the Al Shabaab militants. Among the biggest challenges we have had is that our officers lack enough vehicles to move around in terms of patrol and responding to incidents in real-time when they occur,” he said.

He added: “Having additional police vehicles stationed in all the police stations and police posts will greatly help in maintaining security. This is an issue that police officers both junior and senior have shared with in confidence.”

Yakub said that he has already shared the same information with the relevant authorities.

He noted that he will not tire from doing so saying that lack of security has had adverse effects on development in some parts of the constituency.

Yakub said for security to be fully restored in the area, all stakeholders must work together.

“We have in the past seen schools and hospitals closed and sometimes people cannot use the roads because of fear. However, the situation is slowly changing for the better. I am very optimistic that my constituency will soon be 100 per cent secure,” he said.

The MP recently bought all the chiefs and the assistants motorcycles to ease their movements in rural areas.

He said that his office can only do much in terms of offering support.

He commended the residents working closely with the government by sharing information on suspected Al Shabaab terrorists.

This, he said, has greatly led to improved security currently being witnessed in the area.