By Mike Odeh James, Luka Binniyat, and Segun Onibiyo
(Abuja) In a stunning revelation, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has blown the lid off a web of corruption and deceit, accusing high-ranking government officials and military personnel of actively supporting and profiting from the brutal banditry crisis ravaging the state. According to Governor Radda, rogue elements within government provide covert support to the bandits and terrorists, enabling them to operate with impunity and perpetuate terrorism against innocent citizens.
Radda, who spoke on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program on April 5, 2024, noted that one bandit organization has more than 100 camps in his behind the insecurity, attributing it instead to poverty and injustice. He also expressed skepticism about negotiating with bandits, stating, “It is a business venture for the criminals and a business venture for some people who are in government, some people who are in the security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people.”
According to Radda, addressing banditry requires a more effective approach than mere negotiations. state and said poverty has made recruitment into banditry easy, adding that as little as N500 could lure youths. Governor Radda dismissed any political motivations
“Devastating Attack on Katsina Community Leaves 24 Dead”
Even as Governor Radda was making the allegations, a brutal raid by terrorists on the Unguwar Sarkin Noma community in Sabuwa County has claimed the lives of 24 individuals, with several others injured. The attack, which occurred on Thursday night at approximately 9:00 p.m., saw the terrorists storm into the villages of Unguwar Sarkin Noma, Gangara, Tafi, and Kore, firing indiscriminately to terrorize the residents. Despite prior warnings and efforts to alert security agencies, the bandits still managed to carry out the devastating attack, according to the According to the Chairman of Sabuwa County, Faruq Dalhatu,
“County officials had informed various security agencies of the impending attack, and they responded promptly. However, the bandits still managed to infiltrate the community, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life,” Dalhatu told TV reporters.
Analysts React to the Incessant Attacks and Governor Radda’s Allegations
A security expert and native of Katsina State, Navy Captain Umar Bakori (retired), told TruthNigeria in an exclusive chat that there were several factors that led to an upsurge in attacks on the Katsina community. The governor’s allegations are true, but that the governor should have gone further and mentioned the names of the alleged conspirators, Bakori told TruthNigeria.
“The governor should have gone ahead and mentioned the names of the collaborators so that they could be arrested and prosecuted. When he mentioned that some elements among the military are collaborating with the terrorists, I would disagree vehemently, having served in the Navy for over 30 years, I know that the military parades the most patriotic Nigerians.”
Captain Umar gave an insight into the upsurge in violence in the northern-border state. There are seven counties that are occupied by the 220 km-long Rugu Forest, which stretches from the border with Niger Republic to the southwestern counties of the state. The forest is an endless warren of hills, caves and rocky promontories, very thick and dense with shrubbery, stretching from Birnin Gwari in Kaduna, passing through the southwest of Katsina State, and covering the border regions in Zamfara State. Rugu forest is actually the hub and hideout of most of the terrorists in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina, according to Bakori.
Rugu Forest provides shelter for 100 bandit gangs in the counties of Sabuwa, Faskare, Dandume, Danmusa, Safana, Batsari, and Jibiya. These counties are under increasing attack by kidnappers, smugglers and sex-traffickers, according to sources interviewed by TruthNigeria.
“In order to curb this menace, the Nigerian Army has upgraded its troops’ strength from a battalion level to a brigade level. The military is throwing up a cordon around the Rugu,” Umar said.
Aliyu Abdullahi Tumbarki, a resident of Faskare and a journalist, told TruthNigeria that the terrorists are challenging the military initiatives throughout the state. “Before, we witnessed maybe one or two attacks in a week, but now, it is two or three times a day. If the military is deployed to Faskare, the terrorists will switch to Kankara; if the military is moved to Kankara, the terrorists switch to Dandume. They are also coming from Niger and Mali to join criminals in the Rugu Forest,” Tumbarki said.
Katsina Officials Colluding with Terrorists?
The security outfits created by the Governor are the cause of the problem – not the military, according to Bakori, who explained that the Governor created a security outfit last year numbering approximately 12, 000 and spent N18 billion to fund the outfit .
“This itself is corruption personified,” Bakori said, adding: “The huge amount of money spread corruption.”
“Furthermore, he recruited persons who are just looking for jobs, not those who have interest in defending the country or their communities,” Bakori said.
” Some of these persons at times betray the military or lead them into ambushes, because they are not familiar with the terrain themselves
“Officials of the Governor are the ones spreading corruption and colluding with the terrorists by the admission of the Governor himself,” Bakori said.
Governor Radda would not be the only one who has made similar allegations. Radical sheik and bandit negotiator Ahmed Gumi has said as much.
On 22 June, 2021, Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi told Arise TV that the military had colluded with the terrorists in Northwest to perpetuate kidnapping.
Samuel Kanu-Uche, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, was kidnapped on May 29, 2022, in the Umunneochi County in Abia State, alongside two other priests
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 100 million naira, which was paid, and Kanu-Uche was released on May 30, 2022 .
However, after his release, the Christian Cleric fingered elements of Nigerian army for collaborating with the Fulani terrorists – kidnappers who abducted him.
On both occasions, the Nigeria Army hierarchy issued statements denying that it’s personnel colluded with terrorists
TruthNigeria correspondents tried to reach Army Spokesman Edward Buba but to no avail.
Mike Odeh James, Luka Binnyat, and Segun Onibiyo are conflict reporters with TruthNigeria in Kaduna.
