The Chief Whip of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Umar Dikko, broke down in tears during a plenary session while lamenting the worsening insecurity in Matazu Local Government Area.

Dikko, who represents Matazu constituency, revealed that bandits have taken over large parts of the area, leaving residents in fear and unable to live normal lives.

He explained that farmers in the community can no longer go to their farms. Out of the 10 wards in the area, eight are currently under the control of bandits.

According to him, just recently, a young man was killed near the town’s secondary school while armed men stole four oxen used for farming.

The lawmaker further disclosed that within only two days, 12 farmers were killed by the attackers. He recounted that five farmers were murdered on their farmland the previous day, while seven others were killed a day earlier.

With deep emotions, he said farming activities have become almost impossible.

His tearful appeal highlighted the severity of insecurity in Katsina State, one of the regions worst affected by banditry in the North-West.

Bandits have continued to kill, kidnap, and commit other crimes at will, despite military operations and security reinforcements in the region.

Although both state and federal governments have made efforts to restore peace by deploying more security operatives, backing local vigilante groups, and supporting displaced residents, the attacks have not stopped and continue to be reported almost daily.