Internal forces sabotaging military’s efforts to curb insecurity in Katsina – CSOs
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CCSO) in Katsina State, has called for an investigation into alleged acts of sabotage by some military personnel who are frustrating efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
The statement signed by the group’s chairman, and secretary, Comrades Abdulrahman Abdullahi, and Kabir Yandaki, followed allegations made by a retired military officer, Major Ahmed Ibrahim in a widely circulated video.
Major Ibrahim, who is Commander of the state government-owned Community Watch Corps (CWC) in Dandume Local Government Area, alleged acts of sabotage by some military personnel operating in the council, and neighbouring Sabuwa and Faskari councils.
According to him, some military personnel in the area connive with bandits to rob farmers of their farm produce during harvest; military personnel collect a certain percentage of monies meant to be delivered to bandits as ransom payments.
He also cited instances where military personnel worked for suspected bandits, including using proxy persons to ferry ammunition to bandits and freeing a suspect found with ammunition who said he was sent by military personnel to deliver the same to a bandit.
In 2023, Governor Dikko Radda alleged sabotage by some security operatives in the fight against terrorism in the state, a claim that was later countered by the top military hierarchy.
Similarly, residents of some communities affected by insecurity have often lamented over similar situations with some preferring to speak anonymously.
“At this time when the state is bedeviled with rising insecurity cases of kidnapping for ransom and banditry despite being in the dry season, the allegations coming from a retired senior military officer is too big to be given deaf ears,” they said.
“We therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the executive governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, and national and state House of Assembly to initiate a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the claims presented in the video.
“Such an inquiry is essential to uphold the integrity of our security institutions and to maintain public trust in the fight against insecurity in the state.”
The group also called for the inclusion of CSOs in the investigation, that the investigation should lead to reforms in the security framework of the country and the protection of whistle-blowers who come forward with such information.
Source: The Guardian
