*How we overcame banditry in my domain- Taraba monarch* From Victor Gai, Jalingo The traditional ruler of Old Muri, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba state, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Ciroma, has disclosed that the deployment of local vigilantes, hunters and the military, has brought about peace in his domain. Karim Lamido LGA, which shares boundary with Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Plateau states, has been a flashpoint for communal clashes, banditry and trans-border criminality including kidnapping. Speaking to our reporter in his Jalingo home, the traditional ruler also commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his efforts in restoring peace in the area. While recounting the journey towards peace in the area, Ciroma said: "When this thing started about four years ago, I reported the matter to the former governor that bandits have overcome my domain. He gave us security (civil defence). The bandits overcame the civil defence corp. "With the coming of Governor Kefas, we reported the matter to him. The people could not go to the farm, market or carry out their legitimate businesses. So he gave us a unit of soldiers to be stationed in Kambari, Andami and Jibjib, on patrol night and day and that is why we have the peace. "The GOC helped us by deploying helicopters to flush these terrorists. These people come to Plateau from Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and their aim is to come to Taraba to be kidnapping people. "I employed Commander Babangida, the vigilantes and hunters to support the military. By so doing, we succeeded in eliminating the bandits and now, there is calm. "By the help of Governor Kefas, the security of my area has improved tremendously. The issue of security is a collective responsibility. We are trying, the vigilante are trying but the biggest credit goes to the governor". The traditional ruler disclosed that over 15 different languages exist in Karim Lamido and that inter-marriages between the different groups have ensured peace in the communities. According to him, lack of patience among members of different communities was responsible for inter-communal clashes and therefore counselled that "If the people can sit down and dialogue with one another on what triggers the crisis, there would be peace". He was confident that the government would intervene to reverse the dwindling fortunes of his locality which is economically viable. He said: "Karim Lamido is the food basket of the state. It produces rice, maize, millet, guinea corn and so on. And a lot of people from Borno, Gombe Bauchi come for business. The governor has plans for the 16 Local Government Areas which include roads. Very soon people would begin to enjoy it. We are aware of that because he told us. "The governor is doing very well. He restored peace. He has changed the face of Taraba by his coming. We appreciate his efforts. The people know that he has vision, foresight and focus. If the people give him support, he would do more than he is doing now".