The use of stones by constituents to defend themselves against invading bandits who kill, rape and kidnap constituents for ransom has moved a lawmaker in the Katsina State House of Assembly to purchase weapons for his constituents and train them in handling them.
When bandits attacked Bagari, the villagers fought back – not with rifles but with stones. Their desperate stand cost one life and led to an abduction.
Their brave act stirred up a lawmaker’s conscience and inspired a bold decision to better equip the villagers.
For Hon. Abubakar Muhammad, popularly known as Total, the lawmaker representing Funtua Constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly, the story of villagers hurling stones at gunmen was more than a tragedy, but a wake-up call.
Troubled because of their helplessness, he decided to arm six wards in his constituency, placing the weapons under the supervision of the Community Watch Corps (CWC) and ensuring that residents received training on how to use them responsibly.
“I was troubled when I heard residents use stones to confront bandits; that courage moved me, but it also broke me. It was then I decided to help them with arms”, he said in an interview with RFI.
Over the past months, villages such as Maska, Makera, Ungwan Shanu, and Bagari have endured repeated raids. Survivors told the lawmaker they had called the police during the attacks, but by the time security forces arrived, the bandits had gone.
“They told me that if they had guns, they could have reduced the level of destruction,” he recalled. “Their plea stayed with me.”
The lawmaker stressed that the weapons were not handed out indiscriminately, but were placed under the custody of the Community Watch Corps (CWC), who also trained the locals weapon handling.
“My intention is not to militarise the people; it is to give them a fighting chance until security personnel arrive”, he reiterated.
Abubakar Muhammad’s decision reflects a mood shared across Katsina State. In Malumfashi where another deadly attack recently occurred, residents expressed dissatisfaction with security deployments.
Despite the state purchasing eight Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and the federal government sending additional troops, villagers say the reinforcements remain concentrated in towns, leaving rural communities exposed.
Alhaji Umar Usman of Ungwan Farin Kai said that while the presence of troops has temporarily calmed the situation, the deployment strategy has not reassured locals.
He added that their senator representing Funtua district, Muktari Dandutse, and other politicians visited them and promised to fix the road networks to improve mobility and access.
The Councillor of Na’alma Ward, Usman A. Usman, lamented that armoured vehicles and security personnel were concentrated in Mararaba Kankara instead of protecting villages directly.
He stressed the need for increased deployment along the Bakori–Funtua road, which bandits frequently exploit.
Similarly, Dr. Bala Hussaini, a lecturer at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), criticised both federal and state authorities for adopting what he called a “reactionary approach.”
He faulted the practice of responding only after attacks occurred, describing it as inconsistent with global best practices.
“The government must not wait until lives are lost and property destroyed before acting. They need to take the fight to the bandits’ hideouts and prevent attacks before they happen,” Dr. Hussaini said.
Katsina State Acting Governor Faruk Lawal-Jobe, while hosting the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, urged the deployment of more ground troops and air operations to tackle rising banditry in the state.
Lawal-Jobe pledged the state’s continued support through intelligence sharing and recruitment of locals to aid security operations.
In response, Lt-Gen Oluyede gave assurance of greater military backing and commended the state for its support to the troops.
He also condoled with victims of recent bandit attacks in Malumfashi, stressing that security is a collective responsibility requiring cooperation between the military, government, and citizens.
LEADERSHIP observed that security personnel had yet to be deployed in the recently affected communities in the Malumfashi local government area. Though the situation has been calm in the camps, tension is still high as the government provides interventions to the people.
Bandit Attack: Gov Radda Stops Medical Leave To Visit Mantau Community
Meanwhile, Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda cut short his leave to visit the Martau community in Malumfashi Local Government Area, which has recently been the target of renewed bandit attacks.
The governor arrived in the area in the afternoon and immediately began an on-the-spot assessment of the destruction caused by the assailants, who reportedly killed residents, razed houses and displaced families.
Visibly moved by the devastation wreaked by the bandits, Governor Radda commiserated with the victims and pledged that his administration would intensify collaboration with security agencies to restore peace and provide relief materials and support to victims.
Radda Pledges ₦500,000 Each, To Rebuild Burnt Homes in Malumfashi
Meanwhile, Governor Radda has announced a relief package of ₦500,000 for each affected household and a complete reconstruction of all homes destroyed in the recent bandit attack on Mantau and other communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area.
The governor, who cut short his medical leave abroad to visit the grieving community, said his administration would not only provide immediate financial support but also embark on critical development projects to restore hope in the area.
“Human life is sacred; it is not a game. Whatever you feel, I feel it in my heart. I, too, lost a brother to insecurity. That is why this administration will continue to take decisive steps to restore peace,” Radda told the villagers during his condolence visit on Tuesday.
He pledged to construct a modern school and hospital, renovate the community mosque, and rehabilitate access roads to improve security response in the area.
Governor Radda also directed the chairman of the Malumfashi Local Government to mobilise and train youths for community defence in collaboration with traditional rulers.
He further revealed that plans are underway to deploy a military battalion to the Malumfashi zone to strengthen security operations.
“All houses destroyed by these criminals will be rebuilt by the Katsina State Government. Security is about saving lives, not politics. Whoever stands in the way of peace, we will confront them,” he added.
Speaking during the visit, the Galadiman Katsina, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi Mahuta, commended the governor’s courage. At the same time, the Magajin Garin Karfi, Malam Wa’alamu Garba, lauded his decision to abandon medical treatment abroad to console victims’ families.
The governor was accompanied by top government officials, security commanders and emergency response teams.
Local sources said the community has suffered repeated attacks in recent weeks, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Governor Radda had, on the 18th of August, 2025, left the country for a three-week medical leave, before the mosque attack forced him to return home.
Efforts to reach the Katsina State Police Command for a response were unsuccessful. A message sent to the Police Spokesman, Sadiq Abubakar, at 3:32 p.m. was not replied to, and calls to his phone line were not responded to as of press time.
