How Village Head Accepted ₦700,000 From Bandits, Leading To Massacre Of 30 Residents – Gov Radda

… Calls For Collective Action

KATSINA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA – Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, has exposed the troubling role of local leaders in aiding bandits’ attacks on their communities.

During the 2025 Citizens’ Budget Participation Process and the launch of the state’s Community Development Programmes, Radda revealed that a village head accepted ₦700,000 from bandits, allowing them to invade his village and kill 30 innocent residents.

Governor Radda emphasized that bandits often collaborate with village and community leaders to carry out their deadly operations. This particular village head betrayed his community by accepting the bribe, resulting in the horrific massacre.

The governor condemned the act, stressing that paying ransom or cooperating with criminals will never solve the problem of banditry.In response to the growing insecurity, Governor Radda announced that his administration will support and empower communities willing to defend themselves against bandits.

He acknowledged the limitations of security forces, especially in remote areas like Tsamiyar-jino, where it can take hours for security agents to reach.

The governor’s plan includes providing training and resources to enable communities to resist bandits before security personnel arrive.Governor Radda urged citizens to take an active role in protecting their communities. He expressed frustration over how small groups of criminals could terrorize villages of thousands without resistance.

The governor emphasized the importance of confronting bandits head-on, citing that even 100 youths in a community could overpower a few bandits. He also highlighted the inefficacy of ransom payments, which often lead to the killing of hostages despite the money being paid.

He further revealed that the problem extends beyond village leaders, stating that various segments of society, including a female teacher acting as an informant, have been implicated in aiding bandits. This pervasive involvement has made combating banditry even more challenging.

Governor Radda’s revelations have shed light on the deep-rooted corruption and betrayal contributing to the state’s security crisis, signaling a dire need for collective community resistance.