Kebbi state Deputy Governor, retired Col. Samaila Dabai, says the state remains one of the most secured and safe haven for tourists and investors in the tourism sector.

Dabai said this on Monday in Birnin-Kebbi during a joint media briefing with the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on the sidelines of the ongoing 2021 World Tourism Day.

The media report that the 2021 World Tourism Day with the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth’’ is hosted in Birnin-Kebbi by Kebbi state Government and the Ministry.

“Kebbi state is one of the most secured states in terms of any hostile activities by bandits or Boko Haram.

“Although, very recently there is slight split over of the activities of bandits into the state but the Governor, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu promptly got hold of the situation and nip it in the bud.

“He provided necessary logistics to support the armed forces posted to protect the state from encroachment by bandits,’’ he said.

The Deputy Governor explained that certain actions taken by neighboring states where banditry festered were responsible for the split over,

“The states took measures like preventing buying of fuel in jerry cans, transporting them across and restricting telecommunication services to prevent the bandits from communicating.

“These actions were responsible for the split over into very few parts of Kebbi and the governor has taken positive steps to curtail it,’’ he said.

Dabai called on investors in the tourism sector to take advantage of abundant opportunities in the state for investment in tourism.

The minister, during question and answer session at the event said the issue of insecurity in Nigeria had been overblown beyond the reality.

He said the kind of picture being painted outside, even within the country was as if no part of the country was safe including Kebbi state.

“Yes, we have security challenges like most part of the world, but we are trying our best to address them.

“People have forgotten that the RRA tormented UK for decades yet the media in the UK cooperated with the government and refused to personalize the challenge the country had.

“I recently hosted some Nigerians in the Diaspora from the UK and they admitted that some of their members did not want to come to Nigeria because they believed that the country is not safe.

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“They said as they came, they had gone to their various villages and find out that the issue of security is exaggerated,’’ he said.

The minister reiterated that security challenges in the country were surmountable.

He said with the renewed efforts of the Federal Government and the stiff measures taken by some state governors, there was light at the end of the tunnel.