By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar

The voices of survivors of bandit attacks echoed through the Hillside Conference Hall in Katsina on Thursday as they recounted painful experiences of kidnapping, displacement and loss, while security officials and experts called for stronger collaboration between communities and authorities to tackle insecurity.

The testimonies were delivered during the News Central Town Hall Series with the theme, "From Fear to Safety: Survivors, Security and the Future of Katsina." The event brought together victims of violent crime, security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional stakeholders and residents to discuss the growing security challenges facing communities across Katsina State.

For many in attendance, the most emotional moments came when survivors narrated how insecurity had permanently altered their lives.

One of them, Ahmad Atiku, told participants that his wife and their nine-month-old baby are still being held by kidnappers months after an attack on their community. He said persistent raids have forced residents to spend sleepless nights, fearing another invasion.

Another survivor, Jamila, recalled how she travelled to her aunt's home to attend a wedding in December 2025, only to be abducted during a bandit attack. She alleged that she was sexually assaulted while in captivity and said the abuse resulted in the birth of a child. Her account highlighted the often-overlooked suffering of women and girls caught in Nigeria's armed violence.

Also sharing his experience, Zuladaini Ibrahim said repeated attacks had left many people dead, displaced families from their homes and destroyed livelihoods. He appealed to young people to support peace-building efforts and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that restoring peace is a shared responsibility.

Representing the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Aminu Gusau urged residents to provide credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, saying community-based information remains essential for preventing criminal attacks and improving response to security threats.

He said the fight against banditry cannot be won without public cooperation, encouraging residents to promptly report suspicious activities.

Security stakeholder Mohammed Maifada also called for greater community participation in tackling insecurity through local dialogue platforms and early warning systems capable of detecting threats before they escalate into violence.

Offering his assessment of the country's security challenges, security analyst Bala Husaini alleged that Nigeria's insecurity is being fuelled by a combination of illegal arms proliferation, domestic collaborators and foreign interests. He further claimed that competition over the country's mineral resources has contributed to the prolonged crisis. His comments reflected his own analysis and were not independently verified.

The town hall also focused on groups that are often overlooked during security emergencies.

Director of the Disability-Inclusive Future Initiative, Ya'u Zakka, said persons with disabilities face greater danger during attacks because many are unable to flee quickly. He recounted how one of his friends survived captivity following a bandit attack and urged authorities to integrate disability-inclusive measures into emergency response planning.

Speaking on the role of leadership, the Managing Director of News Central, Kayode Akintemi, said citizens must continue to demand accountability from elected officials, arguing that peace and security can only be sustained when leaders remain responsive to the needs of the people.

He reminded participants that elected officials are public servants whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property.

Throughout the discussions, participants agreed that while military and law enforcement operations remain important, lasting peace will require stronger community engagement, improved intelligence gathering, better support for survivors, justice for victims and sustained cooperation between government, security agencies and local communities.

The forum concluded with renewed calls for practical measures that would move affected communities from fear toward lasting safety, while ensuring that the voices of survivors remain central to discussions on security policy.