Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina has reported a significant decline in bandit attacks in many communities across the state, attributing this change to local residents taking measures to defend themselves.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Radda emphasized that the current number of security operatives in Nigeria is insufficient to provide adequate protection for all citizens.
He clarified that his administration is not advocating for armed citizens but rather calling on communities to contribute their youth for training in self-defense tactics, enabling them to respond to threats before security forces can intervene.
Radda stated, “We are not saying people should take weapons…no, what we are saying is that the security operatives we have in Nigeria are inadequate, and cannot defend all the citizens.
“What we are calling on people to do is to give us their youth so that we will train them and give them something they can start using to defend themselves before any intervention from the security operatives. And this initiative has started paying off, because there are many communities now that are not accessible by these people (bandits), and this is as a result of the measures taken by the locals.
“It is unfortunate how three or four boys (bandits) with a gun or two could wreak havoc in a community of say 500 or 1,000 or 2,000 people.”
Asked whether the call for people to protect themselves against bandits was a sign of government’s failure to address insecurity in the state, Radda said the idea became option as available security forces in the country could not protect all citizens.
“This is what we have been saying for long. The security operatives in Nigeria are not enough to provide the needed security to all people.
“This is the reason why we established ‘Katsina Community Watch’ after I assumed office. We recruited youth, trained them and handed over operational equipment to them so that they can complement the efforts of the security agencies.”
In response to allegations regarding extrajudicial activities by local security forces, Radda assured that their operations are guided by laws and any misconduct would be thoroughly investigated.
“We have laws which guide their operations. So all their operations are guided by laws. But where there are reports of any extrajudicial operation, we make sure it is investigated. Now as we speak, there is a case of one of them who is going to be charged to court over some offence. In this fight, you are fighting bandit and he is fighting back,” he added.
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