By Paul Joseph
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday has voiced significant concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in Katsina State, especially in the Funtua Zone, after recent bandit attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 35 individuals within a 24-hour period across three local government areas.
In light of these events, lawmakers called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly fulfill his commitment to set up a military barracks in the region and warned against negotiating with armed groups that are terrorizing rural communities.
The issue was raised through an urgent motion under Order 42, introduced by Senator Dandutse Mohammed, who represents Katsina South. He called for immediate and thorough federal action to address the rising violence.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, allowed the motion to be debated after it garnered strong support from fellow senators.
In presenting the motion, Dandutse noted that Katsina is in mourning due to a new wave of coordinated attacks, including an ambush on Mobile Police Force personnel in Guga, Bako Local Government Area, which resulted in the deaths of three police officers and left two others seriously injured.
He reported that as of Tuesday, at least 35 people had been killed in attacks across the Funtua Zone in less than a day. Specifically, 24 fatalities occurred in Faskari Local Government Area, eight in Bakori, two in Funtua Local Government Area, and one in Kankara Local Government Area.
The lawmaker cautioned that the ongoing violence has left over 50,000 acres of farmland uncultivated, posing a significant threat to food security and agriculture in the region.
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