…Reveals why he rejected negotiating with bandits.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
About 45 days down memory lane, the Nigerian Military high command is yet to refute the weighty allegations of “aiding and profiting from brute terrorism activities” leveled against its personnel by the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Dikko Radda.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State had, in April 5th 2024, accused the high-ranking government officials and military personnel of actively supporting and profiting from the brutal banditry crises ravaging the state.
According to Governor Radda, some elements within government provide covert support to the bandits and terrorists, enabling them to operate with impunity and perpetuate terrorism against innocent citizens.
Although, the governor, who made the revelation, apparently based on ‘intelligent gathering,’ did not give details of the incidents in terms of date and names of those involved.
Radda, who spoke on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program on April 5, 2024, however, noted that one bandit organization has more than 100 camps behind the insecurity, attributing it to “poverty and injustice.”
He also expressed skepticism about negotiating with bandits, and said, “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, to address banditry required a more effective approach than mere negotiations, stating that poverty has made recruitment into banditry easy, and lamented that as little as N500 could lure youths, while he dismissed any political motivation.
Even as Governor Radda was making the allegations, a brutal raid by terrorists on the Ungwar Sarkin Noma community in Sabuwa County had 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 stormed into the villages of Ungwar 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 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,” they said.
Recalled that the military had on several occasions refuted false allegations, the recent been the alleged sacking of 50 villages and abduction of over 500 victims in Zamfara report credited their house representative.