Masari to Katsina residents: Your meekness emboldens bandits — defend yourselves

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says residents of the state need to rise above meekness, and defend themselves against bandits.

Masari stated this on Tuesday, when he visited residents of Jibia LGA.

Eight persons were confirmed dead when a vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) lost control and ran into some persons at Jibia LGA on August 9.

Residents have also been at the receiving end of attacks by bandits, which have led to kidnappings and killings.

Speaking in a statement by Abdu Malumfashi, his spokesman, Masari urged the residents to ensure that they take steps to improve their security, noting that it is wrong for the people to submit to bandits without any attempt to defend themselves.

“It is the people’s meek submission that emboldens the bandits to continue with their heinous activities with murderous frequency,” Masari said.

“People must divorce their minds from the mistaken notion that security is government’s sole responsibility alone.”

He added that the government is taking necessary steps — including seeking legal expertise — to ensure justice for victims of the accident.

He, however, warned residents against succumbing to attempts aimed at sweeping the accident under the carpet.

“What Customs operatives are doing is wrong, and therefore unacceptable. Do not succumb to any covert enticement from the customs service, no matter what they offer or promise to do for you. Whatever they want to do for you, let it be in the open, not in secret,” he said.

“If you accept any secret offer, then you will be truncating government’s efforts to seek justice for you. But if you resist any untoward move, the organisation will then have to rethink its attitude towards its host community.”