With N5,000, drugs and intoxicants, terrorists and so-called bandits can now recruit young men in Katsina State, North West Nigeria and this is according to the governor of the state, Aminu Bello Masari.
Masari says terrorists now easily recruit young locals to boost their ranks. He also complained about the struggles of the Nigerian Army and the Police.
The governor disclosed that just about 3,000 Police officers are in Katsina state, protecting a state of eight million people, meaning there is one Police officer to 200,000 people.
“From my assessment of policemen in the local government areas, I don’t think we have up to 3,000 policemen in the entire state. Let us assume that they are up to 3,000, what it means is that we have a policeman for every 200,000 people. How effective can that policeman be? Then, we come to arms and ammunition, what do the police have?” Masari said.
He also said the Police also lack modern equipment to battle criminality in the state. He urges that family affiliations shouldn’t stop the people from reporting criminals in the state.
“Here, the bandits have infiltrated the communities recruiting young men with as low as N5,000 along with drugs and other intoxicants. We must stop the culture of not reporting criminals, because of tribal or family affiliations,” Masari said.
Katsina State is one of Nigeria’s most terrorised states with kidnapping-for-ransome rising to become a booming business in the state. Locals now risk losing their loved ones to abductors who demand millions for their release.
With growing inadequacy of jobs and increasing poverty, terrorist groups now find it easier to recruit young locals to increase their base in the region.