As we are all aware, for nearly a decade, Funtua has been one of the regions most affected by insecurity in Northwestern Nigeria.
Alarmingly, we are now witnessing a resurgence of banditry and insecurity in our communities in unprecedented forms. These attacks sometimes occur in broad daylight, unlike before when they mostly happened at night. The assailants come in large numbers, heavily armed.
The threat of banditry has turned countless households into victims—either directly through attacks or indirectly through displacement, trauma, and loss. Today, the situation has deteriorated to the point where it is difficult to find a single family in our area that has not been affected by this persistent violence.
The insecurity is not limited to Funtua alone. Neighbouring local government areas such as Faskari, Kankara, Bakori, and Sabuwa are equally affected. A visit to these places reveals a heartbreaking sight: vulnerable people, many of them women and children, wandering the streets, begging for food and support. These individuals were not born beggars; rather, they were forced into this life by the harsh realities of violence that destroyed their homes, villages, and livelihoods.
As a result of this crisis, many victims have been relocated to makeshift shelters now known as Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. These camps, often overcrowded and under-resourced, lack the basic necessities required for a decent life. It is important to understand that these people did not become vulnerable by choice; they were made so by ruthless attacks carried out by criminal elements.
Despite several efforts and public outcries, the level of support provided to these victims remains grossly inadequate. Sadly, it appears that many of our lawmakers, both at the state and federal levels, have not taken meaningful action to address this growing humanitarian crisis. We expected—and still expect—our elected representatives, including state assembly members and our senator, to sponsor concrete legislative measures aimed at supporting displaced persons and ending the menace of banditry. By now, we should not be seeing victims of insecurity living in IDP camps or roaming our streets in desperation.
At this critical juncture, the responsibility falls on us as a community to act. We appeal to all well-meaning individuals, community elders, senior citizens, business owners, civil servants, and all members of the public to contribute to the wellbeing and security of our community.
Community security personnel—especially vigilante groups—should also be supported with communication devices such as walkie-talkies (like those used by their counterparts in neighbouring communities affected by insecurity), rechargeable torchlight, fuel for mobility, and a modest monthly stipend to motivate and enable them to perform their duties effectively.
Together, through unity and shared responsibility, we can bring hope to the hopeless and build a safer Funtua for ourselves and future generations.
Let us act now. Let us not wait for others to solve a problem that affects us directly. Our collective strength, generosity, and resolve can make all the difference.
Haruna Hassan writes from Funtua, Katsina State.
