Katsina Lawmaker Weeps as Bandits Overrun 8 of 10 Wards in Matazu, Kill 12 in Two Days

A Katsina State lawmaker broke down in tears on Tuesday during a plenary session, warning that armed bandits had seized control of eight out of ten wards in Matazu Local Government Area, leaving residents in fear and farmers unable to access their land.

Ibrahim Umar Dikko, Chief Whip of the Katsina House of Assembly, delivered the emotional address, revealing that 12 people had been killed in just 48 hours.

“Out of the 10 wards, eight are under siege. Farmers cannot go to farms,” Dikko said, visibly shaken. “Just yesterday, by the entrance of the town near the secondary school, they killed a young man and rustled four oxen.”

Following the disclosure, lawmakers unanimously passed motions urging both state and federal authorities to deploy reinforcements to affected communities in Matazu and neighbouring Sabuwa. They also called for an investigation into the recent withdrawal of security personnel from the area.

The security situation remains critical, with continued reports of raids and mass displacement. Farmlands are still inaccessible, and residents say there is no visible sign of new security deployments.

“We have not seen any fresh deployment. People are too scared to return to their farms,” said Aminu Murtala, a resident of Rinjin Idi village—one of six communities that petitioned the state governor this month over escalating violence.

Matazu council chairman, Shamsuddeen Muhammad Sayaya, has called for calm, assuring the public that authorities are working “tirelessly” with security agencies to restore peace.