By Oluwasegun Aina
The recent kidnapping of sixty wedding guests believed to be escorting a bride home in the Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, is nothing short of a heinous act. Furthermore, the escalating security challenges in Katsina State are deeply concerning.
My time spent observing my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Hospitality State during 2017-2018 was marked by a sense of safety. The state, under the administration of Barrister Ibrahim Sheu Shema and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was considered one of the safest places to be.
I, alongside my colleagues, enjoyed a peaceful time while serving our fatherland. It is disheartening to witness the current state of insecurity, a far cry from the past.
Why are things turning upside down? The recent news of kidnapped wedding guests adds to the alarming trend. It’s unsettling to think that the homestate of the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is grappling with security issues even when he was at the helm of the country.
The security fallout in the state can be attributed to porous border linkages and a lack of proactive security measures during the regime President Buhari. The growing sense of fear among the residents is unacceptable. I regularly check on my well-wishers there to ensure their safety.
However, recognizing that change is constant, I urge the leadership of the state, under Governor Umaru Dikko Radda, and security outfits to find lasting solutions to the security challenges. Securing the state’s borders with Niger Republic through the procurement of modern security equipment is imperative for the safety of lives and properties.
This is a time for sober reflection without playing games with people’s lives. I sincerely hope that the state can regain its essence of security.
Katsina State, my second home, is filled with good people who have shown me the true delight of friendship.
Oluwasegun Aina writes from Abuja.