Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has accused some government officials and security personnel of aiding banditry in the country.
The governor stated this on Friday while featuring on Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today.’
He said that it has become difficult to end banditry as it has now turned into a “business venture.”
“Now it has turned out to be a business venture. A business venture for the criminals; some people who are in government; some people who are in security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people.
“These are so many reasons why we are unable to bring banditry to an end,” he said.
He also noted that those behind banditry are not doing it for political reasons, saying: “The issue of the hypothesis behind political motive as responsible for banditry is not true.”
The governor also revealed that many “northern youths are recruited into banditry with a mere N500.”
To address the escalating insecurity in the northern region, some governors from the zone recently embarked on a trip to the United States.
The foreign trip attracted backlash with many wondering why holding the meeting abroad instead of Nigeria.
Radda, however, clarified that they were merely invited to attend the conference.
He added that the trip gave the governors fresh insights into insecurity in the region.
“The meeting was not at the instance of the selected governors of northern states but it was at the instance of the United States Institute of Peace. They were the people who invited us; they hosted us for the meeting. We were invited to sit with them so that we could bring about lasting solutions to the problems that are affecting our people.
“Ten governors were in the United States, Washington D.C and we had a symposium with the United States Institute of Peace so that we can bring about ideas that will end insecurity that is worrying our people and is a major problem to the subnational and they carefully chose the governors of the places affected by banditry and kidnapping,” he said.
Radda stressed that during the meeting, the governors were able to cross-fertilise ideas and interact with all stakeholders that are involved in bringing about lasting peace and security globally.
