KATSINA, NIGERIA — Governor Dikko Radda has sent shockwaves through the state with a startling admission that high-level security meetings within the Government House are being leaked to bandit kingpins almost in real-time.
Speaking on the deep-seated sabotage hindering the fight against terrorism, the Governor recounted a chilling incident where the details of a classified strategy session reached a criminal leader within minutes of the meeting’s conclusion.
“There was a day I called a high-level security meeting at Government House. Five minutes later, the bandit kingpin knew everything we discussed,” Radda revealed. “There are moles within the system.”
Sabotage from Within
The Governor explained that these informants are not just limited to government circles but are embedded within security agencies and local communities. He noted that whenever security forces prepare to move against a target, “bad eggs” provide advanced warnings, allowing bandits to either flee or lay deadly ambushes for the troops.
Radda identified a specific bandit leader known as “Mohammed” as one of the figures benefiting from this insider information. He lamented that the betrayal by those entrusted with the state’s safety has turned the fight against insecurity into an uphill battle.
Insecurity as a Business
The Governor further alleged that banditry in Katsina has evolved into a lucrative “business venture” supported by influential individuals who live among the people. According to him, these collaborators facilitate the movement of arms and information, ensuring the cycle of violence continues for personal gain.
Despite the infiltration, the Governor noted that the state’s local security outfit, the Katsina Community Watch Corps, has made significant progress by arresting over 1,000 suspected informants in the last year.
The Path Forward
Governor Radda maintained that until the state sanitizes its ranks and confronts the reality of insider sabotage, kinetic operations will continue to be compromised. While he remains firm against personal negotiations with terrorists, he acknowledged that some local communities have been forced into “strength-based” peace talks to protect their lives in the interim.
