News

Governor Reveals Alarming Security Deficit: Just 39 Officers for 200 Villages in Katsina

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 11th, 2024.

Governor Reveals Alarming Security Deficit: Just 39 Officers for 200 Villages in Katsina

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has raised concerns about the severe security issues affecting the region. In a recent interview with DW Hausa, Radda revealed that just 39 police officers are assigned to patrol a local government area (LGA) that encompasses 10 wards and over 200 villages. He highlighted that among the 39 officers, only nine firearms are available, with just five in working condition.

Radda questioned how a force of this size could adequately protect such a large area, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining security with so few resources. He proposed an initiative to support communities willing to defend themselves, offering necessary assistance and training to help them combat criminals before official security forces can intervene.

Katsina has faced persistent attacks from bandits, prompting Governor Radda to urge residents to take proactive steps for their own protection. At a recent town hall meeting in Daura, he expressed frustration and called on Islamic scholars to educate citizens on the importance of self-defense, a message he had previously communicated in February. Dr. Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security, has echoed these sentiments in recent statements.