During a town hall event hosted by News Central in Katsina State, individuals affected by local banditry shared harrowing testimonies regarding kidnappings, murders, and economic devastation. The forum served as a platform for victims, local leaders, government officials, and security forces to explore actionable responses to the ongoing unrest.
Abdullahi Dalla of Daddara shared a tragic story of being abducted alongside his brother. He witnessed his sibling’s murder during their fifteen-day captivity and noted that his family could only gather a fraction of the demanded ten million naira ransom to secure his release. Similarly, Muryamu Musa from Kankiya recounted the abduction and subsequent killing of her husband, who was intercepted by gunmen while commuting on September 29, 2025.
The program included segments from the documentary Bandits of Katsina, produced by Rukayyah Jibia, which examines the impact of this crisis through victim testimonies and interviews with gang leaders. Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of News Central, emphasized that public involvement is essential to curbing the violence. He stated that the organization is dedicated to fostering accountability and facilitating dialogues across Nigeria, noting that the current security situation is a reflection of collective choices.
Attendees concluded the meeting by advocating for better intelligence operations, enhanced cooperation between security agencies and local communities, and increased support for those directly harmed by the violence.
