By Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
When tragedy strikes, leadership is tested not by words alone but by actions rooted in empathy and responsibility. On Tuesday, 26th of this August , Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, demonstrated this blend of compassion and resolve when he paid a condolence visit to Mantau Village in Malumfashi Local Government Area. The community had only recently been thrown into mourning after bandits struck during prayers, cutting short innocent lives.
As everyone might have been aware, the Governor had just returned from a vacation to seek medical attention and enhance his service to the people of Katsina State.
His return from the journey itself reflected the seriousness with which he approaches the insecurity challenges facing the people of Katsina. Upon arriving first in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Radda immediately convened a closed-door meeting on the ongoing insecurity challenges in Katsina Abuja. Present at the deliberations were all three senators from the state, along with every member of the House of Representatives representing Katsina.
After his stop in Abuja, the Governor proceeded to Kaduna, where he spent the night of August 27. Coincidentally, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly were also in Kaduna for their programme. Upon learning of his presence, they hurried to meet him, warmly welcoming him back from his medical checkup and consoling him over the Unguwar Mantau incident.
Early the following morning, he departed Kaduna for Katsina. When the convoy reached Katsina State, their first stop was Marabar Kankara, where a large crowd had already gathered in anticipation. Present were the Chairman of Malumfashi Local Government, the Chairman of Bakori Local Government, the Galadiman Katsina and District Head of Malumfashi, several other village heads, the Katsina State House of Assembly member representing Malumfashi, and the Federal House of Representatives member for Malumfashi/Kafur. After greetings, the team proceeded to Mantau.
Mantau had in the recent past bravely resisted bandits, killing seven of them in one encounter. Tragically, the bandits later returned to exact revenge, killing, injuring, and displacing many residents. It was this very town, scarred and often forgotten, that Governor Radda chose as his first stop immediately after he returned to Katsina. This was regarded as a decision that spoke volumes about his sense of duty and empathy.
When he arrived, Radda walked into Mantau not merely as a political leader but as a fellow mourner. His words were heavy with sincerity: “Human life is sacred; it is not a game. We have come to grieve with you, to share in your pain. Whatever you feel, I feel it in my heart. I too lost a brother to insecurity.” By opening his own wounds, the Governor connected deeply with the victims, reminding them that insecurity is not just statistics, but a collective scar.
Beyond sympathy, he offered tangible support. He announced immediate relief of ₦500,000 for each affected household, not as compensation for irreparable loss but as a gesture of solidarity. More importantly, he promised Mantau a future rooted in development: the construction of a modern school and hospital, the complete renovation of the community mosque, and the rebuilding of houses destroyed by bandits. These commitments went beyond bricks and mortar, they symbolized hope, dignity, and renewal.
The Governor’s vision also looked to long-term solutions. He directed the Malumfashi Local Government Chairman to work with traditional rulers in mobilizing and training youths for community protection, tying into his broader strategy of citizen involvement through the Community Watch Corps. He also assured residents that his administration was liaising with federal authorities for the deployment of a military battalion to the Malumfashi axis. For a resilient community, these were not empty words but promises of protection and recovery.
Yet, Radda speech was not directed only at the grieving families. He also addressed those politicizing insecurity: “Security is about saving human lives, not politics. Whoever stands in the way of peace, we will confront them, and In Sha Allah, we will succeed.” It was a firm rebuke to opportunists exploiting tragedy for political gain.
The symbolism of the visit cannot be overstated. In a political climate where government promises are often dismissed as empty talk, Radda decision to bypass comfort, and head straight to the affected community reset the narrative. It showed a governor willing to put his people’s grief above his personal well-being.
This visit must also be situated within the broader security struggle in Katsina.
Upon returning to Katsina town, the Governor chaired the 12th Regular Meeting of State Executive Council where massive approvals were granted to intensify the fight against banditry.
The state government approved the purchase of 700 motorcycles and 20 Hilux vehicles for enhanced mobility, along with tactical kits, manuals, specialized equipment, and modern tools for security operatives.
Most significantly, the governor revealed plans to procure 8 Toyota Land Cruiser ‘Buffalo’ armoured pickup trucks specifically designed for anti-banditry operations. These armoured vehicles, combined with the existing fleet of Armoured Personnel Carriers, will provide security forces with the tactical advantage needed to decisively confront criminal elements terrorizing communities like Mantau.
For the people of Mantau, whose loved ones had passed away. We wish them well. The Governor’s assurances also gave them a renewed sense of belonging and dignity. It was his way of saying: “You are not forgotten. Your government is with you.”
As Katsina continues to confront the menace of banditry, the Mantau visit stands as a moral and political lesson. Guns and trucks may be essential in defeating criminals, but empathy, compassion, and development are equally vital. The fight against insecurity is not just about eliminating bandits; it is about restoring dignity, rebuilding trust, and reaffirming faith in leadership.
May Allah (SWT) continue to grant Governor Radda the courage, patience, and wisdom to guide Katsina through this storm. For Mantau, and indeed for the whole state, peace may be difficult, but with empathy-driven leadership, it is never impossible.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
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