The Katsina State Government has revealed that the majority of bandits attacks in the state are being aided by informants and some members of affected communities who allegedly provide food, drugs, and other supplies to criminals hiding in the forests.
State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Mu’azu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen on the worsening security challenges in the state. Mu’azu explained that security efforts are being undermined by individuals within communities who choose to collaborate with criminals for profit.
“In one of the communities affected by the insecurity, a man was found to be selling a bottle of Coca-Cola for ₦3,000; another sold fuel for ₦5,000 per litre to the bandits,” the commissioner said. He added that some community members also supply illicit drugs to the bandits, making it a lucrative business.
The commissioner cited disturbing cases of direct collusion with kidnappers, including instances where family members orchestrated the abduction of their relatives.
“In another case, we found a man who connived with bandits to abduct his biological father, who was diabetic. When the bandits brought him to their hideout, they had already reserved diabetic tablets for his daily consumption. The sum of ₦30 million was paid as ransom for the man, and ₦8 million was given to the son for compromising and allowing his father to be abducted,” Mu’azu disclosed.
Mu’azu further asserted that some informants within these communities tip off bandits whenever Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets take off for bombing raids, giving criminals ample time to escape. “The jets often end up not reaching their target because some members of the communities allow the criminals to hide under them,” he said.
According to him, while the actual attacks by bandits account for only 20 per cent of the security problem, informant activities pose a significant challenge to security operations, especially for the NAF.
