Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has had enough. On Tuesday, he signed an Executive Order banning the sale, purchase, transportation, and storage of petroleum products in jerrycans across the entire state.
The idea is simple: cut off the fuel that bandits and kidnappers use to move around and operate from their forest hideouts. If they can't easily buy petrol in small containers, the thinking goes, they can't keep their motorcycles running or sustain their camps.
But the governor didn't stop there. He also ordered the immediate closure of all Point of Sale (POS) outlets and commercial phone-charging centres in two local government areas — Matazu and Musawa. According to the government, intelligence reports showed that criminals were using these facilities to coordinate their activities and access funds.
In the same two LGAs, Radda imposed a total ban on the use of motorcycles. This is a direct move against the bandits' favourite mode of transport — fast, nimble, and easy to escape on after an attack.
The new measures came out of an emergency security meeting that included security agencies, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders. The governor said protecting lives and property is his administration's top priority, and he called on residents to cooperate by reporting suspicious activity.
Violators of the Executive Order will face strict sanctions, the government warned. No details on what those sanctions are yet, but the tone is clear: this isn't a suggestion.
Radda also made time for a different kind of visit on Tuesday. He went to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina to see Mrs. Amina Rabe Abubakar, the widow of late Major General Rabe Abubakar. Troops from Operation FANSAN YAMMA had just rescued her from bandits during a military operation.
The governor praised the soldiers for what he called a "swift, courageous and professional operation." He said the officers "have demonstrated the kind of courage, sacrifice, and professionalism that gives hope to the people of Katsina."
Major General Rabe Abubakar was killed by bandits earlier this year. His widow's abduction and rescue have been a major story in Katsina, and Radda's visit was as much about solidarity as it was about politics.
For the average person in Katsina, these new rules will be felt immediately. If you rely on a jerrycan to buy kerosene or petrol for your generator or motorcycle, you're now in trouble. The ban covers all petroleum products — not just petrol — and applies statewide.
In Matazu and Musawa, life gets even harder. No POS means no quick cash withdrawals or transfers. No phone-charging centres means you'll need to charge your phone at home or at a friend's place. And no motorcycles means everyone — including farmers, traders, and students — has to find another way to get around.
The government says these sacrifices are necessary to starve the criminals. But for people in these areas, the question is whether the security gains will outweigh the daily inconvenience.
Katsina State has been a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping for years. Armed gangs operate from forests like the Rugu Forest, which stretches across Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna states. They raid villages, kidnap for ransom, and sometimes kill their victims.
Previous administrations have tried various measures — amnesty programmes, military operations, and bans on mining and grazing. None have fully solved the problem. Radda's new Executive Order is the latest attempt to disrupt the criminal networks by cutting their supply lines.
The ban on jerrycan fuel sales isn't new in Nigeria. Other states, including Zamfara and Kaduna, have tried similar measures in the past. The results have been mixed — fuel smuggling and black markets often spring up, and ordinary people bear the brunt of the restrictions.
The Katsina State Government says it will enforce the Executive Order strictly. Security agencies have been directed to ensure compliance. The government also urged citizens to provide "timely and credible information" to help security operations.
For now, the ban is in effect immediately. There's no timeline for how long it will last. It could be weeks, months, or until the security situation improves.
Meanwhile, the rescue of Mrs. Amina Rabe Abubakar is a rare piece of good news in a state that has seen too much tragedy. The military's Operation FANSAN YAMMA continues to operate in the region, and the government says it remains committed to restoring peace.
Whether these new measures will actually work is the big question. For the people of Katsina, the answer can't come soon enough.