Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has revealed a startling gap in security resources, noting that only 32 police officers are deployed to patrol a specific Local Government Area (LGA) in the state, which includes over 200 villages across ten wards.
During an interview with DW Hausa, Radda shared that out of the nine firearms available to these officers, only five are functional. He did not disclose the name of the LGA, but emphasized the challenge of protecting such a vast area with minimal personnel and equipment.
“Currently, in Katsina, there is a local government area with 39 policemen and nine guns, of which only five are serviceable,” Radda stated. “The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 39 personnel protect them?”
To address this shortfall, Governor Radda announced an initiative to support communities willing to defend themselves. “We will provide the necessary support and training to any community ready to engage criminals before the arrival of security agents,” he added.
Katsina State has been grappling with escalating bandit attacks. Recently, Governor Radda urged residents to take proactive measures to protect themselves. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Daura, he called on Islamic scholars to teach the importance of self-defense within the framework of Islamic teachings.
This call to action mirrors a similar appeal Radda made in February, and his commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, has echoed the same plea in recent statements.
