Katsina Assembly Chief Whip Expresses Concern Over Worsening Insecurity

The Chief Whip of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Umar Dikko, broke down in tears during a plenary session while addressing the worsening insecurity in Matazu Local Government Area.

Representing Matazu constituency, Dikko revealed that bandits have seized control of much of the area, leaving residents helpless and farmers unable to access their farms.

“Out of the 10 wards, eight are under siege. Farmers cannot go to their farms. Just yesterday, near the secondary school entrance to the town, a young man was killed, and four sets of oxen used for ploughing were rustled,” he lamented emotionally.

The lawmaker disclosed that in just two days, 12 farmers had been killed by bandits.

“Yesterday, they killed five farmers on their farms. A day before that, seven farmers were killed. Wallahi, the farms are no longer accessible,” he added, visibly distressed.

Katsina State remains one of the regions hardest hit by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, with ongoing attacks involving killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence.

Despite efforts by the military, increased security deployments, and support for local vigilante groups, the bandits continue to exploit forest hideouts to launch attacks, perpetuating a cycle of violence and displacement.

State and federal governments continue to seek ways to restore peace, but the security situation remains precarious, as fresh incidents are reported almost daily.