Scores of residents of Wurna village on Friday blocked Katsina-Dutsinma highway in katsina state, protesting alleged incessant bandits’ attacks on their community.
The villagers stormed the highway as early as 9 a.m where they set up bonfires made up of dried items .
The development made many road users especially commercial vehicles plying the area to seek alternative routes to continue their trips.
The residents alleged that bandits had continuously attacked and raided their community in recent times.
A resident who pleaded anonymity said “Bandits have made us to know no peace in our community. In the past four days they have continuously attacked and raided our community. Many of our people have even relocated from the community because of bandits attacks.”
Security operatives later restored normalcy on the highway in the afternoon.
Although there was no official comment from the state police command, Governor Dikko Radda visited the community on Friday.
He promised the community that additional troops would be deployed there to further protect residents.
The Governor was accompanied by his Commissioner for Internal Security, Muazu Danmusa; Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Musa ; the Chief of Staff, Jabiru Tsauri and a member representing Dutsinma/Kurfi Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Balele Danarewa .
Radda and his entourage visited the community to personally assess the situation .
According to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, Radda sympathised with the residents and directed them to nominate 10 people who should meet him in Katsina “so that he will know how to cushion their challenge particularly as Ramadan approaches.”
“Your protest is genuine and I feel for you, but please remain calm as Government is doing all it can to stop this”, the Governor assured the residents.
The Chief Press Secretary added “Governor Radda further said that the Government will mobilize 100 security personnel to Wurma and we will feed them on a daily basis.”
The Governor further reportedly declared “Words cannot express the profound grief I feel for the families who have lost loved ones in this senseless act of violence.
“My heart aches for the children who have lost their parents and the community that has been so deeply affected. I stand with you in this time of unimaginable pain and hardship.”
The Governor urged the residents to support the security operatives including the JTF, CWC and others with a view to tackling banditry and other crimes in the state.
The Chief Press Secretary also quoted the Governor as saying “I call for peace and unity within this community. We must stand together against these barbaric acts and work collaboratively to overcome this challenge. I want to assure you that my administration is working tirelessly with security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. We will not rest until peace and security are restored to Katsina State.”
Governor Radda also called on the Federal government to assist the state in tackling banditry by deploying more troops to the state.