The Wazirin Matazu, Alhaji Zaharaddeen Babba Mazoji, says bandits have a tight grip on many communities in Katsina state as he urges President Tinubu to Intervene in Matazu Local Government Area and the entire Funtua zone of Katsina State, saying the areas have been thrown into chaos due to constant bandit attach.
He said the residents were living in fear and desperation.
In a statement obtained by Daily Trust, the Waziri urged all security agencies concerned to act swiftly to rescue the area from total collapse.
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“Reports indicated that eight out of ten wards in Matazu have been overrun by bandits. Many lives are lost every blessed day, with well tended farmlands being abandoned and economic activities brought to a halt.
“The people of Matazu are living in abject fear. Our livelihoods are gone, and innocent lives are being wasted daily. We need urgent federal intervention because this shouldn’t be allowed to continue,” Mazoji lamented.
He also raised alarm, warning that unless urgent action is taken, the crisis may spread further and possibly out of control.
He called on security agencies and the federal government to restore peace and protect lives and property
He also lamented the silence of some influential political office holders who are from the area.
“Questions have also been raised about the silence of Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, who hails from Katsina State and come from musawa/Matazu constituency.
“Given her background as a lawyer and politician, one would expect her to leverage her influence to advocate for the security and welfare of her constituents. However, her silence on this matter is deafening. We urge her to speak out and use her position to help bring peace to Matazu.”
“Similarly, the Special Assistant to the President on Policy coordination Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman who’s also from Katsina state and Musawa/Matazu constituency, we are pleading for urgent actions to be taken,” he said.
He suggested that there is a need to deploy security reinforcements such as the army and Mobile Police (MOPOL) in villages including Mazoji, Karaduwa, Sayaya, Dissi, Gwarjo, Rinji Idi, and Kogarib.
He added that there is the need to also boost security personnel’s welfare to improved their morale so as to enhance effectiveness in combating banditry.
He said humanitarian relief should also be provided to displaced families and long-term efforts made to revive the local economy should be adopted.
