Dikko Radda, the Governor of Katsina State, has urged locals of the Northwest Nigerian State to band themselves into groups to protect their communities.
Katsina is among several states in northern Nigeria where bandit gangs operate, raiding villages, and abducting residents, killing as well.
Earlier this month, 63 wedding guests, including the new bride, were kidnapped by gunmen in the State.
Though the kidnappers have, via video that has gone viral on social media, made their plans to sell off the captives known, the authorities remain handicapped in tracking them down.
Radda said on Friday that citizens need not rely on the government, but should rise and defend themselves from the bandit militia.
“Government is fully prepared to assist any community that organises themselves in their respective areas through training and the provision of logistics,” the Governor noted.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
