Masari: For many in Katsina, banditry is the major challenge — NOT COVID-19

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says many people in the state do no see coronavirus as a problem but banditry.

Speaking on Thursday when he received Leo Irabor, chief of defence training and operations, and other senior officers from the defence headquarters, Abuja, Masari said banditry in the state has become overwhelming.

Katsina currently has 95 confirmed cases of the disease.

Masari said suspected bandits have killed more than 50 people in two weeks, while the residents continue to live in fear.

“We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the security agencies in the fight against banditry, but we must also state that the situation has become so overwhelming. We are running out of words to convince our people that we are on top of the situation,” the governor said.

“They are, by the days, loosing confidence in us as their leaders, saddled with the responsibility of securing their lives and properties.

“I am so saddened with the situation we are in now, because to most of our people in the troubled areas, COVID-19 is not even an issue.

“It may have taken over the world and the news about it, but not here. Attacks by armed bandits have have become a daily affair. In about 2 weeks, we have lost more than 50 people. At our own end and within the resources available, we have provided support to the security agencies.

“We even brokered peace through an Amnesty and reconciliatory drive. Some of the bandits repented and joined us in the fight, they were however overpowered by the unrepentant ones who are more sophisticated.

“I am using this opportunity to inform the defense headquarters that our people have started mooting the idea of taking up arms against the bandits no matter the consequences. We are doing our best to stop them and assure them that our security agencies are on top of the situation.”

In Katsina State, the General’s home state, begging bandits for peace, instead of routing them, has become an awkward attribute of governance. 

Even the soldiers, police and other security personnel are as unsafe as the general public.It is a state of hopelessness that should have provoked new initiatives, but the regime appears impervious to change.

Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari says “COVID-19 is not an issue” in his state, noting that the major challenge for his people is the invasion by bandits who had continued to unleash terror and mayhem on them.

Maxymilliano:
But It was reported that he met with met with representatives of bandits terrorizing the local governments in the state in order to find a lasting solution to incessant attacks and kidnappings in the state, So what happened after the dialogue?

Tissaia:
Fulani herdsmen issue is negligence of Nigerian government. How can u allow savages in your backyard without proper documentation.
Fulani herdsmen become a nuisance long time ago. They are mostly into robbing travelers now that almost everyone is using Bank. they changed tactics.

AristocraticMe:
I have said this before. State police is the way to go. But no the powers that be wont allow. Local problem local policing. Nigeria is one of the few country who still practice federal structure of police. A person from Lagos apples to be a police officer, you transfer the person to Jos. How effective will that police be ? Does he or she know the terrain of the state, what about language.. we keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Apawicked:
Are you not Fulani again? its laughable how you lots claim Fulani while the ewedu and gbegiri odour oozing out from you can be perceived from 100 miles away

vanunu:
Fooool.

Tissaia:
U mistake him with your popsy don't u see he is wearing agbada and Cap and he look sane, his eyes doesn't look like that of an Alcoholic look closely. Than you

Tissaia:
U mistake him with your popsy don't u see he is wearing agbada and Cap and he look sane, his eyes doesn't look like that of an Alcoholic look closely. Than you

Savagery?
Sarcasm?
Murder?
Joke?
Finishing?
Peppering?
Taunting?
All of the above

Gandollar:
Yorubas and their few Fulani collaborators here swore by their balls that an Igbo man would never be president of Nigeria.

My question to them which none is able to answer is.. since the monkeys overran the car, have they been able to drive it forward?

The current president is from katsina state. But insecurity took a fiery turn in his home state after he became president. His influence as president has not been able to nip the matter in the bud.

Buhari has failed to wave his maitasine wand on bandits. Bandits not even Boko Haram overran the president's state!

The infamous blood of the dogs and baboons became reality in his own state. Be careful what you wish for.

The state governor who with all things being equal should have been the governor of governors due to his closeness to the president, is now the one crying upandan like a headless chicken on national TV!

A headless orphaned chicken!