Katsina Lawmakers Weep As 32 of 34 LGAs Are Under Attack by Bandits

Lawmakers in Katsina state were reduced to tears at plenary on Monday while narrating the state of insecurity in the state.

Two Katsina state House of Assembly members cried bitterly as they revealed that 32 out of the 34 LGAs in the state are under attack by bandits.

Katsina, the capital, is not spared. Lawmakers said kidnappers now storm homes and kidnap targets unchallenged.

The Deputy Speaker of the house, Alhaji Shehu Dalhatu-Tafoki had earlier presented a motion of urgent public importance over the level of insecurity in the state at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Tasi’u Maigari.

According to Dalhatu-Tafoki, (APC Faskari), despite the efforts of the federal, state governments and the security agencies, the insecurity problem was increasing everyday in the state.

He, therefore, called on the concerned government authorities and the security agencies to re-strategize their approach to tackling the rampant activities of bandits in Katsina.

Dalhatu-Tafoki said insecurity in Katsina State was worsening, with more people being killed everyday as more Local Government Areas were being affected.

“There is a serious need for the security outfits in the state to increase their outposts, especially the most insecurity affected areas.

“The outposts in those areas are not enough, they cannot overpower the bandits, despite the huge amounts of money being spent on them,” he said.

He also called on the general public to continue to pray for the return of peace all over the state.

When the floor was thrown open to other member to make contributions, they shared tragic stories of kidnapping and deaths.

Alhaji Haruna Goma (APC Dandume), representing Dandume constituency, said recently no fewer than 11 persons were killed in two communities, while many were abducted.

As he spoke, he broke down in tears, as he appealed for more government help.

He said if the help failed to come, more people in the communities, would be massacred.

The member representing Funtua constituency, Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed, (APC Funtua), also shed tears.

He said for the past 40 days, bandits attacked Funtua communities daily, killing scores and kidnapping many.

Also, the lawmaker representing Katsina constituency said the insecurity challenge was beyond imagination.

According to him, 32 out of the 34 LGAs in the state are now affected.

Even within Katsina metropolis, people were being kidnapped, he said.

He called on the government to review its expenditure on security as there was no visible improvement.

Alhaji Jabir Yusuf (APC Batsari), representing Batsari constituency, described the recent killing of 12 people in Duba, a community in Batsari, as unfortunate.

After the long deliberations by the lawmakers, the assembly unanimously adopted the motion and called on all relevant authorities to look into the issue in the interest of those affected.

The house also resolved to hold a meeting with the National Assembly members from Katsina and also the state executive, to discuss insecurity.

The lawmakers also resolved to invite all heads of security agencies in the state and also the state’s committee on security, for solutions to the problem