Tears in Assembly as Katsina Lawmaker Cries Out Over Bandit Attacks in Matazu

An emotional scene unfolded at the Katsina State House of Assembly as the Chief Whip, Ibrahim Umar Dikko, broke down in tears during plenary while lamenting the worsening insecurity in Matazu Local Government Area.

Dikko, who represents the Matazu constituency, revealed that bandits have taken over large portions of the area, rendering residents helpless and leaving farmers unable to access their farmlands. “Out of the 10 wards in Matazu, eight are currently under siege. Farmers can’t reach their farms. Just yesterday, they killed a young man near the town’s entrance by the secondary school and made away with four oxen used for ploughing,” he said through tears.

He further disclosed the gruesome toll of the recent attacks, stating that within just 48 hours, 12 farmers were killed. “They killed five yesterday and seven the day before. Wallahi, the farms are no longer accessible,” he lamented.

Katsina remains one of the states most affected by banditry in Nigeria’s North-West. Despite ongoing military operations, deployment of security personnel, and the support of local vigilante groups, attacks persist. Bandits continue to use forest hideouts to launch deadly assaults, carrying out killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence almost daily—leaving communities in fear and despair.