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The Senate on Wednesday lamented the increasing banditry attacks across Katsina State, which have reportedly claimed at least 35 lives within 24 hours and forced several communities to abandon their homes and farmlands.
Consequently, the upper chamber directed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to equip newly established police squadrons across the state with at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) each to strengthen intelligence-led operations, forest combing, cross-border collaboration and community-based intelligence gathering.
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The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South) during the plenary.
Mr Dandutse raised concerns over worsening insecurity in his constituency and across the state, noting that persistent bandit attacks have ravaged many communities.
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He disclosed that bandits recently attacked a community in Funtua, where no fewer than 35 people were killed, while 24 others were eliminated in Faskari and one person in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.
The lawmaker argued that the continued attacks pose a serious threat to food production, as more than 50,000 farmlands are currently inaccessible, a development he warned could jeopardise food security and livelihoods.
He said if a lasting solution is not found, these continuous attacks may lead to mass displacement, the collapse of rural livelihoods and long-term psychological trauma among vulnerable populations.
“The continuous bandit attacks on communities will significantly affect food production and agricultural activities, as more than 50,000 farmlands are presently inaccessible, thereby jeopardising food security and the livelihoods of the people,” the senator said.
Mr Dandutse further urged the Senate to call on President Bola Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to establish a new military barracks in the Funtua area.
He also requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provide immediate relief materials to affected communities and traumatised families.
Debate
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, commended the military for its ongoing efforts against banditry but urged security agencies to intensify their operations.
Mr Jibrin, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, emphasised the need to increase the deployment of technology to tackle banditry and other security challenges.
“The military is doing well, and I commend them, but the determination of these bandits shows that we need to do more. We need to add more force, deploy more technology, and deal with this situation decisively,” he said.
Describing the affected areas as highly productive agricultural zones, Mr Jibrin noted that the continued insecurity threatens national food security and stability.
“This is a highly productive agricultural area with enormous potential to feed not just the zone but the entire nation. I strongly support this motion because of its importance to food security and national stability,” he said.
Also contributing, Borno North Senator, Tahir Monguno, urged the implementation of President Tinubu’s directive to establish a military formation in the affected area.
“This area is an agricultural heartland where large quantities of food and cash crops are produced, but insecurity has displaced farmers and disrupted food production.”
Similarly, Benue North-West Senator Titus Zam lamented that about 19 people were killed in a recent attack in his senatorial district.
“Sadly, just yesterday, about 19 people were killed in another attack in my area. While the enemies are intensifying their attacks, the military is also rising to the challenge and has been doing well in recent months. I commend the military and urge them to further increase their firepower to stem the tide of these attacks.”
Nasarawa West Senator, Ahmed Wadada, condemned negotiations with bandits, describing the approach as counterproductive.
“It is disastrous and unacceptable for any individual or group to negotiate with bandits. Negotiating with bandits empowers them on one hand while pretending to fight them on the other. These criminals are indoctrinated and driven by extremism; negotiation does not yield lasting peace.
“We must face them squarely, using intelligence as the first line of action. If intelligence gathering is effective, force may not even be required. I strongly advise against negotiating with bandits, as recent experiences have shown that it does not produce the desired peace,” Mr Wadada said.
When the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to a voice vote, it was overwhelmingly supported by the senators.
Mr Akpabio thereafter directed lawmakers to observe a minute’s silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks.
Insecurity in Katsina State
Katsina State, located in Nigeria’s North-west region, has for years been one of the states most affected by banditry and rural violence. Armed groups operating from forested areas across Katsina and neighbouring states such as Zamfara and Kaduna have repeatedly attacked communities, targeting farmers, travellers and rural settlements.
The attacks are often characterised by killings, kidnappings for ransom, cattle rustling and the destruction of homes and farmlands. Vast forests such as Rugu and other border areas have served as hideouts for armed groups, enabling them to move across state boundaries with relative ease and complicating security operations.
The persistent insecurity has severely disrupted agriculture, which is the backbone of the state’s economy. Many farmers have abandoned their lands for fear of attacks, leading to reduced food production, loss of livelihoods and growing food insecurity. Several communities have also experienced repeated displacement, with residents fleeing to safer towns and informal camps.
Despite repeated military operations, police deployments and the establishment of forward operating bases, attacks have continued intermittently. Security analysts have attributed the challenge to factors including difficult terrain, limited surveillance capacity, arms proliferation and the cross-border movement of armed groups.
The situation has also placed pressure on humanitarian agencies and local authorities, as displaced families require food, shelter and psychosocial support.
