Criminals from North Africa Behind Kidnapping, Banditry In Nigeria – Gov Masari

Forum 2 years ago

Criminals from North Africa Behind Kidnapping, Banditry In Nigeria – Gov Masari

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, has pointed accusing fingers at some North African countries for being behind the kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria.

Masri noted that the root of banditry started from cattle rustling and the insecurity has exacerbated the living conditions of the farmers in the State. He added that most of the criminals behind the kidnappings and insecurity are from North Africa.

He said: “Unfortunately, what we met as cattle rustling has turned into banditry and insurgency which are depriving people, especially those living in the border area of the forests which are very fertile, from access to their farms, drastically affecting their source of livelihood.

“They have lost their ploughing cattle which they used to plough the land. This has caused another challenge to our ‘Restoration Agenda’ in Katsina, but we thank God that we can continue,”

In a related development, Governor Aminu Masari recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation of Katsina, claiming that the increased security in the North West state has given him and others restless nights.

The Governor said the state has been beset by security issues from dusk to morning, during an interview with DW Hausa.

No sane leader who cares about his people’s feelings, according to Masari, will be satisfied in such a position.

He said; 

“In this difficult time and uncertainty, all the issue of governance has been dominated by security matters from sunset to dawn. I receive security reports at any moment through many channels daily.

“Governing in this difficult time I see no joy that people are saying we are enjoying. 

“In this kind of situation we are having sleepless nights. You only have a few hours to sleep with your phone beneath your ears and whoever calls you at midnight won’t do that to greet you but to tell you a problem that is happening.

“People misunderstood us (governors) as people enjoying themselves. Some people are just assuming things and we must not assume what we think is right because if someone is not in the system, he cannot understand the situation.

“The irony of this life is that a governor is being escorted with screaming siren so is the criminal being taken to prison, the dead person in an ambulance and firefighters all use sirens. So what is the joy about the sirens?

“The paramount thing about governance is that once you are at the helm of affairs, always prepare to leave. You must not allow yourself to be carried away by the arrogance of power.”