The Katsina State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has demanded an immediate end to what it termed the reign of terror orchestrated by bandits in the state in order to restore peace in banditry-ravaged communities.
In a statement issued to journalists in Katsina by its Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad Kurfi, the opposition party said the federal and state governments should take concrete security actions to end the scourge.
The party said the state is suffering from “worsening security crisis” with hundreds of deaths and abductions due to the failure of the government to protect lives and property of the citizens.
Quoting a recent report by Amnesty International, the SDP added that Katsina has become the state with the highest fatalities due to banditry in the North-west, surpassing even Zamfara.
According to the party, the inability of the federal and state governments to protect Katsina citizens is glaring, with rural communities left at the mercy of bandits and other criminal elements.
The statement read: “In just two years, over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed by armed groups nationwide, with Katsina suffering hundreds of deaths and abductions. The government’s failure to protect its citizens is glaring, with rural communities left at the mercy of bandits and criminal groups.
“On the eve of Democracy Day, the Commander of the Katsina Community Watch Corps in charge of Dandume Local Government, Major A. L. Ibrahim (Rtd.), died under mysterious circumstances. He recently raised concerns about alleged collusion between security personnel and bandits in his area of responsibility.
“This loss, following growing suspicion, raises urgent questions about accountability and the safety of those who dare speak in defence of our communities.
“We demand immediate and transparent investigation into the death of Major A.L. Ibrahim, and all allegations of security personnel collusion with criminal elements.
“We also demand concrete action by the state and federal governments to end the reign of terror inflicted by banditry and restore peace to our communities”, the statement added.
Francis Sardauna
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