No fewer than 100 members of the state-owned Community Watch Corps were killed, and more than 30 police officers and several soldiers have lost their lives in the line of duty in Katsina state.
The state commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Muazu, disclosed this while reacting to social media reports which he described aimed at causing panic.
“The Katsina State Government has observed with concern the deliberate attempts by some individuals to create panic and incite fear among residents through the spread of false and misleading information on social media.”
“These narratives aim to downplay the significant progress made so far in the fight against banditry and insecurity under the leadership of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda,” Dr Muazu has said.
The commissioner said when Governor Dikko Radda assumed office in 2023, 24 local government areas of the state were affected by banditry, adding however, “with focused strategies and enhanced collaboration with security agencies, notable improvement has been achieved across many parts of the state”.
He said 11 LGAs, including Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, Katsina, Batagarawa, Charanchi, Bindawa, Ingawa, Kafur, Danja, Kusada have been largely insulated from banditry attacks, while nine, which include Malumfashi, Kurfi, Dutsinma, Kankia, Musawa, Bakori, Funtua, Sabuwa, Dandume have improved security with “few remote pockets of insecurity”.
Dr Muazu said the four local government areas that were still experiencing attacks were Faskari, Kankara, Safana and Matazu.
“Despite persistent challenges in a few LGAs, the state government is not relenting. Governor Radda remains fully committed to restoring peace and order.”
“Even during his recent accident and recovery period, he never stopped engaging with key stakeholders, receiving daily security briefings from senior officers including the Brigade Commander, Commissioner of Police, Director DSS, the Commissioner for Internal Security, Air Force Commander and other key stakeholders.
“It is unfortunate that certain social media voices, rather than support these efforts, continue to spread misinformation for political gain or attention. This not only undermines the sacrifices of our security forces but also weakens community morale,” the commissioner has said.