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The Katsina State Government has revealed that the majority of bandit attacks in the state are being aided by informants and some members of affected communities who allegedly provide food, drugs, and other supplies to criminals hiding in the forests.
State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Mu’azu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the worsening security challenges in the state.
Mu’azu explained that security efforts are being undermined by individuals within communities who choose to collaborate with criminals for profit.
“In one of the communities affected by the insecurity, a man was found to be selling a bottle of Coca-Cola for ₦3,000; another sold fuel for ₦5,000 per litre to the bandits,” the commissioner said.
He added that some community members also supply illicit drugs to the bandits, making it a lucrative business.
The commissioner cited disturbing cases of direct collusion with kidnappers, including instances where family members orchestrated the abduction of their relatives.
“In another case, we found a man who connived with bandits to abduct his biological father, who was diabetic. When the bandits brought him to their hideout, they had already reserved diabetic tablets for his daily consumption. The sum of ₦30 million was paid as ransom for the man, and ₦8 million was given to the son for compromising and allowing his father to be abducted,” Mu’azu disclosed.
Informants Sabotaging Air Force Operations
Mu’azu further asserted that some informants within these communities tip off bandits whenever Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets take off for bombing raids, giving criminals ample time to escape.
“The jets often end up not reaching their target because some members of the communities allow the criminals to hide under them,” he said.
According to him, while the actual attacks by bandits account for only 20 per cent of the security problem, informant activities pose a significant challenge to security operations, especially for the NAF.
The commissioner noted that the state government has achieved successes in tackling insecurity through kinetic military operations in several councils. However, he stressed that non-kinetic measures, particularly community cooperation, are essential for long-term solutions.
Mu’azu urged residents to provide sensitive information that could help security forces neutralise bandits, assuring that such reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
“Addressing insecurity in Katsina can only be effective when there is cooperation from affected communities,” he said.
The post Govt Reveals Those Aiding Bandit Attacks In Katsina appeared first on Naija News.
