Katsina State: Any Hope for Peace? -By Abdulkadir Salaudeen

Katsina State is one of the reasons I count myself out as someone who would wish anyone to be Nigerian president just because he is from my state or because we speak the same language or because we profess the same religion. This consideration is too childish for anyone who is in their 40s — my age bracket. A fool at forty is said to be a fool forever. I don’t consider myself a fool even if I am not intelligent or very educated.

This state, Katsina, has had two Nigerian presidents in the past. Yet it’s one of the most insecure states in Nigeria. One begins to ask if having a president from one’s state or having a governor from one or particular part of a state is of any use. When people clamor for ethnic, religious, or sectional representation in Nigeria, it is more about eagerness to satisfy a primordial sentiment than about development. This is my conclusion.

For instance, what precisely did former President Olusegun Obasanjo do to benefit his people in Owu (not even Ogun State) during his eight-year presidency? One would think former President Goodluck Jonathan had turned Otueke, if not the whole of Bayelsa State, into a small London, having spent six years in power. That is obviously not the case. After spending eight years in office, the one in Daura with his overhyped military background could not restore peace or even what looks like peace to Katsina State which, unfortunately, is now more like a kidnappers’ den than a state.

The only exception would perhaps be President Tinubu, who is doing everything to make sure he moves national headquarters of major government institutions and offices ironically to Lagos, where he was defeated in the election that brought him to Aso Rock. Tongues have started wagging and questions are already being asked if Tinubu is not planning to move Nigeria’s capital to Lagos.

That aside, my major concern is Katsina State. The state is undoubtedly swimming against the wave in the way it is handling its challenge of insecurity. At times it downplays the challenge as if it is nothing to worry about. This is why when Tinubu visited the state sometime last year, he was welcomed with “Katsina Ba Korafi.”That is to say, in Katsina “all is well,” “no security threats,” “we have nothing to complain about.” 

At other times, the government acknowledges it has serious and overwhelming problems but addresses these problems in the most eccentric manner, making observers conclude that the government is not interested in solving the problems. For instance, how on earth can a serious government stop a court trial and facilitate the release of bandits and kidnappers who have worked day and night to destroy the state, including killings, rape, and destruction of private property? This is exactly what Katsina State government did.

Many well-meaning Nigerians, through the media, have condemned the action in very strong terms. There seems to be no newspaper that didn’t break the news without disappointment.

Royal News reports it this: “Security Expert Warns Katsina Plan to Release 70 Banditry Suspects could Backfire (Royal News)”.

According to the Nigeria Lawyer, “CAN, MBF, CNG, reject katsina plan to release 70 bandits — Northern Groups Warn of Dangerous Precedent and Risk to Public Safety.” 

In Leadership Report, “Northern CAN, Middle Belt Forum, Reject Katsina Govts Plan to Release 70 Bandits.” 

As told by Tribune Online, “Outcry As Katsina Govt Plans Release of 70 Bandits on Trial.” 

As for Vanguard, “Northern Groups Condemn Katsina Govt over Proposed Release of 70 Convicted Bandits.” 

As stated by Arise News, “IPOB Lawyer: Freedom for 70 Katsina Bandits a Recipe for Bloodshed, more Crisis.”

In The ICIR headline, “Katsina Frees 70 Bandits After Losing over 1500 Civilians to Banditry in 5 Years.” 

Highlighting the futile attempt to make peace deal with bloodthirsty bandits, Sahara Reporters reports that, “Days After Katsina Govt Sought Release Of 70 Suspected Terrorists, Bandits Kill, Abduct In Yar Tafki Community.” 

Despite all the condemnation, the Katsina State government, according Channels TV,  defends its planned release of the 70 suspected bandits. The measure is, according to the state government, aimed at consolidating and broadening the existing peace deal between communities affected by insecurity in 15 local government areas of the state and repentant bandits. What threw many Nigerians off was the state government maintained that such tactics are adopted in war situations globally! War in Katsina? Between whom and who? Our security experts should come in. They should help educate the government in Katsina State that there is a difference between ‘armed conflicts’, ‘banditry’, and ‘kidnapping.’

The government further disclosed that the deal had led to the release of at least 1,000 persons held captive by the suspected bandits in different attacks. This is exactly the state that joyfully claimed they had no problem when President Tinubu visited; thousands of its citizens are being held captive and rulers in the state can sleep.

Since the government has insisted on its action and justified it, what is it doing about the victims of banditry in the state? Many have lost their loved ones. They have lost fathers, mothers, sisters, uncles, wives, husbands, and children. They have lost their neighbors and friends to bandits. They have lost their pride and source of livelihood. Life has become worthless to them because they live under a government that cares less about their protection but cares more about bandits. The Katsina State government has inadvertently empowered bandits, perhaps without realizing it. It has clearly declared that banditry pays without saying it. It is a declaration without words but well understood by everyone with thinking faculty.

In other words, the government emphasizes it in vague words, implying victims should commit suicide if they like. I seize this moment to console all victims of the terror reign in Katsina State. May the Almighty comfort them over the loss of their loved ones while they live in a state of nature which Katsina State typifies. But rulers in Katsina can do better. I advise them to retrace their steps. Victims first; not bandits.

Abdulkadir Salaudeen 

salahuddeenabdulkadir@gmail.com