Katsina Elders Criticize FG Over Insecurity, Poverty, LGBT Policies

The Katsina State Elders Forum (KSEF) has voiced strong criticism against the Federal Government’s handling of security, economic hardship, and the purported policies related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights.

At a press briefing, KSEF Secretary Malam Aliyu Mohammed highlighted the severe security challenges in Katsina State, blaming the Federal Government for its inadequate response to the ongoing bandit threats affecting 12 local governments.

“We have made numerous appeals to the Federal Government to support the state’s efforts in safeguarding lives and property. However, the response has been disappointing. The bandits continue to kill our people, burn properties, seize farms, and destroy homes,” Mohammed said.

Expressing concern for the safety of residents and travelers, Aliyu criticized the inaction of the two Defence Ministers from the North, questioning their effectiveness in addressing the security crisis.

“If you are travelling, you are not sure of coming back. If you leave home, you are not sure of coming back to meet your people safe. And it is really unfortunate that the so-called Defence Ministers are from the North. We don’t know what they are doing. They have not done enough to protect the North. And it is unfortunate that these killers are only in this part of the country. We are really disturbed,” he remarked.

Aliyu also lamented the lack of federal support following the numerous killings in Katsina, highlighting the surge in beggars as a consequence of the banditry.

“The Katsina State Governor has done his best by establishing the Security Watch Corps, but they are restricted in their ability to match the firepower of the bandits. The soldiers are not making a significant impact. The Federal Government must explain why our soldiers can perform admirably in other countries but not in northern Nigeria,” he stated.

The forum called for the establishment of jungle battalions, urging the government to deploy soldiers to forests to combat the bandits effectively. “The bandits are known and their locations are known. We are calling on Mr. President to please save the North and save Katsina State,” Aliyu implored.

KSEF also expressed disapproval over the alleged recent federal actions concerning LGBT rights, supposedly signed by the Budget Minister.

“Katsina State vehemently objects to this arrangement because we are 98 percent Muslims. Even Christianity is against this same-sex marriage. We are begging Mr. President to reverse this decision with immediate effect. Nigerians are not happy and everybody is crying,” Mohammed asserted.

Addressing the dire poverty in the northern region, Aliyu painted a bleak picture of widespread hunger and economic distress, attributing it to the Federal Government’s failure to provide basic necessities.

“Our people are very poor. There is hunger and abject poverty in our region. Everywhere you go, you see people begging because they don’t have what to eat,” he said, urging President Tinubu to take immediate action to address these pressing issues and appoint more effective advisers.