Dikko Umar Radda governed Katsina State without a single case of banditry attack between May 29 and June 24. Evidently, his nightmare began a month later, according to data obtained from the website of Nextier Violent Conflict Database.
WikkiTimes analysed security reports during the stated period and discovered that there was no reported case of insecurity. Rather, the state won against the terrorists as police operatives killed five armed bandits in Batsari local council, on June 18.
Two months later, the bandits struck, abducting 19 locals, including women, from the same Batsari local council. Batsari shares boundaries with the dreaded Rugu forest where the terrorists are alleged to have several camps, according to PREMIUM TIMES.
Two weeks before, the terrorists abducted farmers from Nahuta, Madogara, Dan Tsuntsu, Zamfarawa and Salihar Dadare villages in Batsari LGA.
On September 5, bandits killed seven locals and abducted 12 others from Doka community of Sabuwa Local Government. The terrorists also rustled cattle during the raid.
Like Batsari, Sabuwa local council is also a stronghold of the bandits, WikkiTimes learnt.
The attack came a few days after terrorists killed a commercial vehicle driver and abducted about four passengers on Sheme–Yankara road in Faskari local council.
Banditry attacks have become rampant in the northwestern state. The attacks, mostly, result in forceful eviction and it also worsen food insecurity in the region.
THE FIGHT AGAINST BANDITRY CONTINUES
“To the bandits, I say abandon your cause and reintegrate into society or face the full wrath of the law,” the governor had warned during his inauguration on May 29. “I urge our youths to shun drug abuse, time-wasting, and criminality. We will work with relevant law enforcement agencies to promote social order and overall security in the state.”
Three months later, the governor reaffirmed his position, saying his administration would not dialogue with the bandits. He stated this during a special prayer organised by the government for peace and unity in the state, according to TheCable.
