Banditry: Gov Radda Visits Scene of Maharba Village Ambush

By Friday Obande

Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, and a delegation of top-level security officials have visited the scene of a recent bandit ambush that claimed lives of five Community Security Watch Corps personnel in Maharba in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

In a statement signed on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the delegation was led to the incident scene by the Matazu Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Shamsudeen Muhammad Sayaya.

Slyke Bulletin observes that the incidence claimed the life of Community Watch Commander, Mallam Sanusi, who coordinated security operations covering Kusada, Kankia, and parts of Charanci Local Government Areas, along with four of his men who were traveling in a Hilux vehicle on a reinforcement mission.

Reports also say the tragic incidence occurred when the personnel responded to intelligence details about a large number of bandits approaching villages in Matazu LGA.

According to some eye-witness reports, the security personnel were ambushed at a major stream by about 20 bandits on motorcycles who had concealed themselves in mango trees, when the Commander and his team were trapped at the location, with their Hilux vehicle set ablaze during the attack.
The vehicle was still smoldering when the Governor arrived at the scene for his assessment. Following the site inspection, Governor Radda toured hard-to-reach areas to gain firsthand knowledge of community conditions and engaged directly with residents about his administration’s mission and government readiness to address security challenges.

Radda also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to work closely with security agencies and community stakeholders to enhance protective measures for both security personnel and civilian populations across the State.

On his part, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, explained the comprehensive approach being adopted to combat insecurity.

“The state had in the recent time witnessed incessant banditry attacks on one hand and on the other hand recording success in the fight against bandits taking into cognizance of the efforts of the military against bandits around Ruwan Godiya access,” Dr. Danmusa stated.

The commissioner reiterated that, “the visit of the state governor to the scene where the five men of the community security watch corps were ambushed and killed by the bandits was to see for himself and for the ministry to evaluate and make assessment of what happened.

“This assessment is to adopt further strategies to protect the lives and property of members of the communities,” he said.

He appealed to the residents to support the government with prayers and exercise patience, assuring them that the government is more committed in the restoration of peace in the state.

Governor Radda then expressed condolences to the family of deceased C-Watch personnel, praying that God Almighty will accept their returns, as he urged the entire people of Katsina to bear the fortitude of the irreparable loss.