His revelation followed the arrest of Malam Hafizu in Sabuwa Local Government Area of the state.
The commander of the Community Watch Corps in Katsina State, Major A. Ibrahim (Retired), has levelled serious allegations against some Nigerian soldiers, accusing them of supplying arms to bandits and extorting local farmers, especially during the harvest period.
His revelation followed the arrest of Malam Hafizu in Sabuwa Local Government Area of the state.
The Watch Corps had trailed Hafizu for days before intercepting him with an ample supply of ammunition suspected to be meant for bandits operating in the area.
According to Ibrahim, Hafizu confessed during interrogation that a soldier, identified simply as Ade, gave him the ammunition. He said the confession confirmed fears among residents that some security personnel were colluding with criminals.
“I am the commander and head of the Watch Corps Katsina, overseeing the operation,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that several complaints had come from communities, particularly in Funtua, about soldiers working with bandits to intimidate, extort locals and aiding in paying ransom.
“Soldiers who are meant to protect the people are now causing harm. We must enforce the law, stop these abuses, and restore trust,” he said.
He added that the situation in the Nabi community was particularly dire, where farmers were reportedly forced to pay levies multiple times before entering the farms and being allowed to harvest their farm produce. Everything they harvested was allegedly taken from them by force.
“The Committee has resolved: Enough is enough. We want peace. The military must protect, not oppress,” Ibrahim concluded.
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