The Katsina State Government has expressed concern over the persistent security challenges affecting parts of the state, blaming about 80 percent of the problem on community members and informants aiding criminal elements.
Speaking to journalists after a joint security meeting held at the Government House in Katsina on Thursday, July 31, 2025, the State Commissioner for Internal Security, Nasir Muazu, revealed that investigations have uncovered the role of some residents in supporting criminal activities for personal gain.
According to Muazu, certain individuals in affected communities have been supplying bandits with essential items at exorbitant prices, further fueling insecurity.
“They sell fuel to the bandits at N5,000 per litre, and a bottle of soft drink goes for as high as N3,000,” the commissioner said.
He stressed that the security agencies have sufficient personnel to handle the threats, but the activities of informants and collaborators within the communities have greatly undermined efforts.
“These criminals don’t know where to get these supplies on their own. It’s community members—some of them shop owners—who provide these goods, making it difficult for us to gain the cooperation we need to address the crisis,” Muazu explained.
He cited specific cases, including one where a man was found selling soft drinks to bandits for N3,000 per bottle, and another supplying fuel at N5,000 per litre. In another disturbing incident, Muazu said a man conspired with bandits to kidnap his own diabetic father. The abductors had already stocked up on the required medication, and a ransom of N30 million was eventually paid. Of that amount, N8 million was allegedly given to the son as a reward for his role in the abduction.
Muazu further disclosed that informants often tip off bandits about planned airstrikes, alerting them whenever Nigerian Air Force jets depart for operations—leading to failed missions.
Despite these challenges, the commissioner noted that the state government has made considerable progress in tackling insecurity in several local government areas through military operations and other kinetic measures. He also emphasized the importance of complementing these efforts with non-kinetic approaches to achieve lasting peace.
