Insecurity: House Raises Alarm Over Frequent Bandits’ Attack on Katsina

* Calls on FG, security agencies to sustain onslaught against criminals 

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has raised the alarm that Katsina State might soon be overrun by criminal elements if no urgent and decisive action is taken to curb the activities of bandits and restore peace to about 18 local governments areas in the state.

To this end, the Green Chamber has called on President Bola Tinubu to further direct the security agencies to sustain their onslaught against criminals unleashing mayhem in Katsina State and across the country.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Hon. Sada Soli.

Moving the motion, Soli said Sections 33 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that every person has the right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his/her life. 

He added that the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has prioritised the security and safety of all the people of the state by taking immediate and effective measures to enhance the collaboration between the state Community Watch Corps and the relevant security agencies.

The lawmaker expressed the devastating impact of banditry on the lives and livelihoods of people of Katsina State. 

Soli lamented that the escalating banditry attacks in Katsina State resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property and kidnapping of innocent men, women and children daily. 

He lamented that the security agencies are yet to take immediate and decisive action to address the security challenges in Katsina State, adding that this necessitated increased deployment of security personnel to the affected communities to combat banditry and restore peace and order. 

The lawmaker pointed out that some gangs of bandits from neighbouring Kaduna and Zamfara States are making efforts to gain control of some communities in Katsina State. 

“Worried that Katsina State is near being overrun by these criminal elements if no urgent and decisive action is taken to curb the activities of these bandits and restore peace to about 18 local governments,” Soli noted.

The lawmaker acknowledged that the ferocious operations conducted on Monday, March 4, 2024 by troops of the Nigerian Army in Kurfi and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State resulted in the killing of two notorious bandits, while others fled with various gunshot wounds.

The House resolved: “Call on Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to further direct the security agencies to sustain their pressure on these criminals perpetrating violence and criminal activities in Katsina State and the country in general.”

It also urged the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to urgently provide humanitarian assistance to the affected communities and support the displaced persons across the state.