Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has revealed alarming details about how a community leader collected N700,000 from bandits and permitted them to slaughter 30 villagers.
During a town hall meeting in Daura over the weekend, Radda asserted that bandits cannot operate freely without the complicity of certain individuals within the community. He emphasized that his administration is committed to empowering residents to support security agents in safeguarding their neighborhoods against attacks from bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals.
The meeting focused on the theme, ‘Public Engagement: 2025 Citizens’ Budget Participation Process’.
“We have introduced an initiative to support any community willing to defend itself. We will provide the necessary training and resources to confront criminals prior to the arrival of security forces,” he stated.
Radda recounted a recent visit to Tsamiyar-jino, a village two hours away by jeep from the main road. “When bandits strike such remote areas, it can take over two hours for security to respond to a distress call, by which time, the damage is done. Lives are lost, and others are kidnapped.”
He reiterated, “The security forces cannot manage this alone; they are understaffed. It’s heartbreaking to witness such humiliating losses. We’ve been told that anyone who dies defending their family will find paradise.”
He noted, “It’s concerning that five criminals can assault a community of 2,000 to 3,000 people, committing acts of rape and abduction without any resistance. If even 100 youths from that community stood up to them, the assailants would not fire more than three shots before being captured.”
Radda pointed out that paying ransoms does not guarantee a hostage’s safety. “Often, they take the money and still kill the victim.”
The governor accused community leaders of colluding with bandits for personal gain, adding, “There was a representative of a village head who accepted N700,000 from bandits, allowing them to invade and kill about 30 people.”
“There have been arrests of women and even a teacher acting as an informant—it’s evident that involvement spans various segments of society,” he noted.
In response, Radda announced the creation of a community security watch corps to protect residents.
“We have trained them and integrated them with the police and army for coordinated efforts, providing them with rifles, bulletproof vests, umbrellas, and three sets of uniforms and shoes,” he explained.
The governor also shared that security operatives have been equipped with 700 motorcycles, 65 Hilux trucks, and 10 armored personnel carriers (APCs).
“We allocate N3 million for fuel and maintenance for frontline local governments, N1.5 million for vulnerable local governments, and N750,000 for the remaining LGAs,” he stated.
Furthermore, he announced the purchase of advanced surveillance technology, highlighting, “What we have is 5G, not the standard 3G available elsewhere.”
Katsina remains one of the North-West states grappling with banditry, subjecting its residents to severe hardships.
