By Dele Ogbodo
The threatening insecurity conundrum beclouding Katsina State, in North-west Nigeria, may inevitably lead to residents resorting to self-help to at least shield themselves from attacks from all sorts of bandits and criminals.
The state, our Reporter learnt is gradually descending into a free for all kidnapping and maiming of innocent residents by unknown persons for reasons yet unexplainable to discerning observers.
The cheerful news that pervaded the socio economic climes of Katsina, when at the fall of last quarter of 2019, a group branded as ‘repentant’ bandits entered into a deal with the State Government surrounded their arms and the government in good and honest rapprochement offered amnesty in return to the bandits, is gradually losing its appeal.
The calm and respite which ensued from that deal did not last for long as the bandits have returned to the trenches unleashing in its wake untold insecurity conundrum and maiming across the state.
However, piqued by the residents’ harrowing experience, the Katsina State Government has responded with stern warning on Tuesday with the issuance of a two-day ultimatum to the bandits to have a change of mind or be quashed by the Nigerian Army.
The development is coming as a result of the closed door security meeting by the repentant bandits to bring about lasting peace across the state which was triggered by the resurgence of all sorts of criminality.
Underscoring government’s commitment to restore peace across the state at the instance of security chiefs, the Secretary to Katsina State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, said the warning became imperative arising from the pockets of attacks and kidnapping which have taken a new dimension.
Expressing disappointment at breach of the resolution earlier reached whereby cache of arms were surrendered, the SSG said: “It is disheartening that despite the amnesty we granted the bandits, some unrepentant ones are still kidnapping across the state.”
According to him, the only option left for the bandits is to cease fire, drop their arms and surrender or have themselves to blame in the coming days.
However, speaking on the traumatic state of insecurity and what it is causing the state, an indigene of the state who works in a federal transport parastatal at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), though with name withheld, he regretted that the pervasive insecurity is causing him high blood pressure as he is not sure by the minutes what may befall his wives and children.
While appreciating some of the measures the state government is putting in place, he said: “Truth be told, it is only a fool that will contemplate leaving his family so vulnerable to attacks as the bandits and kidnappers who are even operating in broad daylight do not have mercy even for our little children in their books”