Presidency accuses traditional rulers in Katsina state of sponsoring banditry

The Presidency has accused some traditional rulers in Katsina of sponsoring banditry hence the spike in violent attacks in the State.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the accusation on Monday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program.

According to him “It is not that we are making direct accusations on anyone but it is also true that even in the President’s native state of Katsina, some traditional rulers have been found complicit in collaboration with the bandits to harm their own people.

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He said “In neighbouring Zamfara, emirs and district heads, quite a number of them have been swept out of office. The thing is there are beneficiaries of whatever rotten system you have.”

The President’s Spokesman said during the height of violent conflicts in Zamfara State, the Nigerian Air Force stationed aircraft in Katsina airport from where they could launch attacks against bandits in Zamfara.

Garba Shehu said once the aircraft takeoff, unscrupulous elements in Katsina would quickly inform the bandits in Zamfara State that an attack was imminent, giving them ample time to take cover.

He noted that “At some point, the Nigerian Air Force had to put a number of aircraft in Katsina, they are still there. In the early part of that operation attacking Zamfara which then was the epicentre.