A security and intelligence analyst, Dr. Yahuza Getso, has alleged possible complicity by some mid‑level security operatives in the persistent banditry ravaging Nigeria’s Northwest, saying armed groups have operated along well‑known routes for years without meaningful military intervention.
Speaking on Trust TV, and observed by OBSERVERS TIMES Dr. Getso said the ease with which bandits move through several local government areas in Katsina, Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara states raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security operations and whether some officials may be aiding the criminal groups.
Responding to a question on whether he suspected collusion between security operatives and bandits, he said the evidence was hard to ignore. “I think this is very clear,” he said.
Dr. Getso said bandits have consistently moved in large numbers through communities around Bakori, Faskari, Sabuwa, Funtua, Dandume, Kankara and adjoining local government areas in Katsina State, as well as Birnin Gwari and Giwa in Kaduna State, for several years without being confronted.
“There are routes that, every 24 hours, these criminals pass through, and there has never been an attempt to stop or attack them,” he said.
He claimed that for the past six years armed groups have continued to traverse these corridors in convoys numbering in the hundreds. “They move in hundreds — not two motorcycles, not three, not five, not ten — but in hundreds, every 24 hours in the last six years,” he alleged.
Dr. Getso argued that establishing permanent security formations along these routes would have significantly reduced attacks on rural communities and restored safe movement for residents. “If permanent formations had been established to challenge them, it would have stopped them from attacking and terrorising communities. It would have made it easier for somebody travelling from Funtua to Dandume, which is less than 35 kilometres, to move freely at any time,” he said.
He identified additional routes stretching from Malumfashi, Kafur, Matazu, Musawa and Bakori in Katsina State to Rogo and Karaye in Kano State, saying bandits regularly use these corridors. He also mentioned communities including Matazu, Musawa, Danmusa, Charanchi, Batsari, Birnin Magaji, Zurmi, Shinkafi and areas bordering the Niger Republic, alleging that many host permanent bandit camps.
“There are many places where these guys have permanent bases. That is where they meet, strategise and carry out all sorts of atrocities,” he said.
Dr. Getso further claimed that traditional rulers, religious leaders, political officeholders and senior government officials were aware of the locations and activities of the criminal groups. “All the traditional leaders, all the religious leaders, all the political leaders, all the administrative leaders at the macro level have this information. They know about it,” he said.
He challenged anyone who disputes his claims to debate the matter publicly, saying he has evidence to support his allegations. “If they say they don’t know, I am ready to buy one hour on Trust TV or any other media outlet and present my facts against them,” he stated.
When asked whether state governors were also aware of the situation, Dr. Getso said governors of Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto States had at different times publicly acknowledged aspects of the security crisis. “The clips are there on YouTube. Anybody who wants them should go and check,” he added.
