Former Secretary to the State Government in Katsina State and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr. Mustapha Inuwa, has alleged that one of the Local Government Councils in the state has set aside a whooping ₦300 million in its 2026 budget for payment of ransom to bandits operating in the area.
This was as he specifically questioned the rationale behind the State Government’s alleged role in facilitating the freedom of dozens of convicted and suspected bandits, despite claims that the government would not negotiate with criminal elements.
Inuwa, who stated these during an interview with the Guardian newspaper, also said that several other councils that are also grappling with insecurity, usually make monthly payments running into millions of naira to bandits operating in their areas.
Inuwa, who served as Secretary to the State Government in the administration of former governor Aminu Bello Masari, described the development as disturbing, particularly against the backdrop of the community-initiated peace deal with bandits in 18 of the Local Government Areas of the state.
In the words of Inuwa; “There is a Local Government in Katsina State that has earmarked the sum of N300 million for bandits in its 2026 budget. Government also gives money to bandits monthly, and this is despite the so-called peace deal with bandits”.
The chieftain of the ADC noted that such payments were at the expense of development, saying that public funds meant for infrastructure and social services were being allegedly diverted to appease a few individuals.
He expressed doubts about the long-term effectiveness of the peace arrangement, emphasising that bandits still carry out attacks daily in parts of the state.
