“Hopeless Battle? Katsina Official Reveals Grim Truth About Unending Banditry”

Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Muazu, has painted a disturbing picture of why the war against banditry and kidnapping may remain unresolved in the state.

In a detailed press briefing at the Government House, he disclosed that some members of local communities are deeply complicit, aiding the criminals for personal gain.

The Commissioner revealed that these individuals sell critical supplies to the bandits at outrageous prices—fuel at ₦5,000 per litre and soft drinks at ₦3,000 per bottle—turning the insecurity crisis into a lucrative business venture.

He stated that this underground economy, ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, severely hampers government and security agencies’ efforts to restore peace.

Even more alarming, Muazu said, is that informants embedded within these communities play a central role in nearly 80% of all banditry and kidnapping operations in the state.

In one shocking case, a man allegedly conspired with bandits to kidnap his own diabetic father and was paid ₦8 million out of the ₦30 million ransom. The kidnappers were reportedly prepared with diabetes medication in advance, underscoring the level of coordination.

ACCORDING TO IREPORTER ONLINE, these informants have also infiltrated sensitive institutions such as the Katsina airport, tipping off bandits about Nigeria Air Force operations.

This, Muazu lamented, often leads to failed airstrike missions and missed opportunities to neutralize criminal hideouts.

Despite these challenges, Muazu maintained that the state government has made gains in several LGAs using kinetic strategies.

However, he emphasized that sustainable peace will only be achieved by complementing these efforts with non-kinetic, community-based interventions.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”