Banditry: Katsina elders flay Badaru, Matawalle, ask Tinubu to sit up

The Katsina State Elders’ Forum has criticized the ‘ineptitude’ of the two ministers of defense, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and Bello Matawalle over the lingering problem of banditry in the northwest.

Addressing members of the press on behalf of the forum, the secretary Alhaji Ali Muhammad, said the two ministers, who are both from the northwest region have done nothing to write home about in addressing the problem.

He accused the duo as well as the president of not even finding time to visit and commiserate with the people of Katsina state over the recent killings in different parts of the state.

The forum then advised President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency provide other measures such as introducing what they called “Jungle Battalions” to end banditry in the North.

• Some of our staff are bandits’ informants – Katsina VC
• Again, bandits kill 1, abduct 22 in Katsina

“We have complained severally to the federal government to complement what the state government is doing, but unfortunately, the federal government has not lived up to expectation.

‘It is really unfortunate, the so-called defense ministers are all from the north, but they have not done enough to protect the north, and this banditry is taking place only in this part of the country,” he said.

“They have killed hundreds of people here in Katsina and none of the ministers or the president deemed it necessary to come and condoled with the affected families and provide some succour to those who lost their people and properties,” he added.

He said if the presidency was really serious about ending banditry, a marching order could be given to the service chiefs to provide the bandits kingpins or be sacked.

The forum then expressed concern over the rising prices of commodities, especially foodstuff, making people to live in abject poverty and hunger.

“The cost of food items is rising by the day, everything is expensive, and the Northerners cannot afford three square meals. This is very serious and we are advising the Federal Government, Mr Tinubu has a listening ear and is a democrat and if his cabinet is not advising him well, please he should drop them and bring people with good ideas that will help him run his government the way Nigerians will be happy.”

“We are begging Mr President to please, reverse with immediate effect if truly they have gone and signed the LGBT agreement. Katsina State is out of it and we are ready to do anything and to go everywhere, we are sending this message to the Federal Government that Katsina State people are not in support of the LGBT,” he said.