A prominent political figure in Katsina State has sparked controversy by claiming that a local government area has allocated 300 million naira in its 2026 budget specifically for payments to bandits, amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria’s northwest region.
Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Secretary to the Katsina State Government, made the allegation during an interview on DCL Hausa, a local media outlet. In the video, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by the account @Arewa_Source, Inuwa spoke in Hausa about what he described as misuse of public funds to appease armed groups.
The English translation of his spoken Hausa statement is: “There is a local government here in Katsina State that has a budget of 300 Million Naira this year for Bandits. The government uses local Government funds to pay Bandits.”
Inuwa, who served as SSG under previous administrations, further elaborated that several insecurity-affected local governments in the state make monthly payments running into millions of naira to suspected bandits as part of negotiated peace deals. He questioned the state government’s repeated denials of direct negotiations with bandits, pointing to these budgetary provisions as evidence of indirect involvement. “If the government says it is not negotiating with bandits, how do you explain a situation where a local government has N300 million in its budget for bandits?” Inuwa asked in the interview.
The claim comes at a time when Katsina State, like neighboring Zamfara and Sokoto, continues to grapple with banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence. Governor Dikko Umar Radda has previously emphasized community-driven peace initiatives and commended the armed forces for efforts to restore stability in affected areas.
However, critics, including Inuwa, argue that such financial arrangements undermine long-term security and drain resources meant for development.
The video post on X has garnered significant attention, with over 12,000 views, 220 likes, and dozens of replies. Some users expressed outrage, with one commenter stating, “What’s going on in the North is crazy,” while others speculated on the implications for national security. No specific local government was named in the allegation, and state officials have yet to respond publicly to the claims.
Inuwa’s comments have reignited debates on the effectiveness of peace accords with armed groups, with some analysts warning that such payments could embolden criminals rather than resolve conflicts. As of now, the Katsina State government has not issued a statement addressing the specific budget allegation.