A Katsina State lawmaker, Ibrahim Umar Dikko, broke down in tears while addressing colleagues in parliament, warning that bandits had overrun eight of the 10 wards in Matazu Local Government Area. The attack has reportedly continued with little sign of relief, resulting in the deaths of 12 people in just two days.
Dikko, the Chief Whip of the Katsina House of Assembly, alleged that farmers could no longer access their fields due to the bandits. He stated that the situation was dire, with eight out of 10 wards under siege. “Just yesterday, by the entrance of the town near the secondary school, they killed a young man and rustled four oxen,” he said, visibly shaken.
Lawmakers swiftly passed motions urging both state and federal governments to send reinforcements to Matazu and neighboring Sabuwa. They also called for an investigation into the sudden withdrawal of security personnel from several communities.
Residents of Matazu and Sabuwa report that farmlands are still inaccessible, families remain displaced, and bandits continue to launch raids with impunity. “We have not seen any fresh deployment. People are too scared to return to their farms,” said Aminu Murtala, a resident of Rinjin Idi village.
Matazu council chairman, Shamsuddeen Muhammad Sayaya, has appealed for calm, assuring people that authorities are working tirelessly with security agencies to restore peace. However, the situation remains uncertain, with many residents still fearful for their safety.
The village of Rinjin Idi is one of six communities that wrote a petition to the state governor this month over worsening insecurity. The situation highlights the need for urgent action to address the growing security challenges in the region.
