Following the continuous attacks by bandits on various communities in Katsina state, a lawmaker, Abubakar Muhammad, has disclosed his reasons for buying arms for the residents of his constituency.
Muhammad, who represents the Funtua Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, stated that he procured weapons (arms)for his constituents to empower them to defend themselves against the bandits terrorizing the area.
Speaking during an interview with RFI, Muhammad, who is widely known as “Total,” explained that his concern for his people grew after he realized they were resorting to using stones and sticks to defend themselves from the bandits. The lawmaker noted that the bandits specialize in killing and raping women and girls across communities in his constituency. He also mentioned that these criminals frequently kidnap residents and demand enormous sums of money as ransom.
Following the acquisition of arms for six different wards in his constituency, the lawmaker confirmed that the residents were also provided with training sessions on the proper handling of the weapons. “I was troubled when I heard residents use stones to confront bandits; that courage moved me, but it also broke me. It was then I decided to help them with arms,” Muhammad said.
He added that the residents’ plea for guns resonated with him: “They told me that if they had guns, they could have reduced the level of destruction, Their plea stayed with me.
He further stated that the arms are stored under the secure custody of the Community Watch Corps (CWC) to prevent any potential misuse by residents. “My intention is not to militarise the people; it is to give them a fighting chance until security personnel arrive,” he reiterated.
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I’m impressed that the lawmaker is taking proactive steps to address insecurity in his constituency. Providing arms and training to residents is a practical solution, and it’s good to know that the arms are being stored securely. This could be a game-changer in the fight against banditry, but let’s hope it works hand-in-hand with the efforts of security agencies.
It’s really sad that things have gotten so bad in Katsina that a lawmaker feels the only option left is to buy arms for his people. Communities shouldn’t be left to defend themselves—security is supposed to be the government’s job