Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina state has again weighed in on the ongoing security challenges bedeviling the state. 

Speaking during an interview with DW Hausa, Radda specifically said only 32 police officers are patrolling one Local Government Area (LGA) in the state.

The governor, who didn’t state which of the LGAs, said it comprises 10 wards and over 200 villages.

According to him, among the 32 officers, only nine guns are available, with just five operational.

He said: “Currently in Katsina, there is a local government area with 39 policemen and nine guns, and the serviceable guns are five.

“The LGA has 10 political wards, with more than 200 villages. How can a police force with 39 personnel protect them?

We have come up with an initiative that for any community ready to defend itself, we will give them necessary support and training to engage criminals before the arrival of the security agents.”

Katsina has been under severe attack by bandits.

Some days ago, Governor Radda called on the people of the state to adopt proactive measures to protect themselves against bandit attacks.

He spoke at a town hall meeting in Daura.

In a video that went viral, Radda was visibly furious and charged Islamic scholars to enlighten the citizens about the importance of self-defence as enshrined in Islam.

The governor made a similar call in February.

His commissioner for Internal Security, Dr Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, also made a similar appeal recently.