How Katsina community leader took N700k from bandits to allow killing of 30 villagers — Gov Radda
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has revealed the shocking involvement of a community leader in facilitating a deadly bandit attack that claimed the lives of 30 villagers. Speaking during a town hall meeting in Daura over the weekend, Radda disclosed that the leader had accepted a bribe of N700,000 from the bandits to allow them access to the village, leading to the massacre.
The governor condemned the collaboration, stating, “Bandits cannot operate freely without the connivance of some persons in society,” and stressed the need for community members to resist such criminal activities. He lamented the rising insecurity in the state, attributing it partly to the failure of some leaders and residents to support security efforts.
Radda detailed the incident, explaining, “A representative of the village head collected N700,000 from bandits and allowed them to enter his area and kill about 30 people.” He also revealed that other members of society, including women and a teacher, had been arrested for acting as informants for the criminals.
The governor urged communities to take responsibility for their protection, citing the limitations of security forces, particularly in remote areas where it could take hours for help to arrive. He proposed a proactive approach, where communities form their own defense groups, with government support in training and resources.
“We have come up with an initiative that for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of security agents,” Radda said. He emphasized that such an approach could prevent further bloodshed and strengthen the resolve of citizens against criminal elements.
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In a bid to bolster security, the Katsina State Government has established a community security watch corps. These groups are trained and equipped with rifles, bulletproof vests, and uniforms, and work in collaboration with the police and military. The corps has been provided with 700 motorcycles, 65 Hilux vehicles, and 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to ensure mobility in vulnerable areas.
Radda assured that his administration is fully committed to supporting these community efforts, noting that security operatives are also equipped with advanced 5G surveillance gadgets, which surpass the commonly used 3G devices in the country.
Katsina, a state in Nigeria’s North-West region, has been one of the hardest-hit by banditry, with residents suffering from kidnappings, attacks, and destruction of property. Governor Radda’s remarks come as part of broader efforts to encourage public participation in the state’s security initiatives.
Radda concluded by reiterating the importance of community resilience, stating, “We were told that anyone who died in defence of his family would enter paradise. If 100 youths in a community confront five bandits, they will not shoot more than three times before being captured with bare hands.”
The governor’s comments are expected to spark further debate on the role of communities in defending themselves against bandits in the face of inadequate security presence.
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