Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Kan Nigeria.
When tragedy strikes, leadership is often tested not by words spoken in conference halls but by presence in the most difficult places. This past week, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, provided a rare glimpse of what compassionate crisis leadership looks like.
Upon hearing of the brutal reprisal attack on Unguwan Mantau, a remote village in Malumfashi, Nigeria, Governor Radda cut short his holiday abroad, flew back home, and journeyed through rough terrain to stand with grieving families.
The attack had left 32 villagers dead, 20 gunned down in a mosque during prayers and 12 others outside. Twenty homes were torched, and 76 residents were kidnapped before a swift Nigerian Air Force strike forced their release. For Mantau, it was devastation. For Governor Radda, it was a call to act.
“I wanted to look into the eyes of the families, to let them know they are not alone. Whatever they feel, I feel in my heart,” he said.
Why Presence Matters
Leaders often delegate such visits to subordinates or issue statements from afar. But by showing up, Governor Radda underscored a timeless truth, in moments of collective grief, presence is power. His walk through the ashes of Mantau spoke louder than any press release. As he said, “you are not abandoned.”
Balancing Relief with Development
Beyond condolences, he rolled out immediate and long-term interventions: rebuilding destroyed homes, restoring the community mosque, cash relief to families, a modern school and hospital, and urgent rehabilitation of the road to Mantau. His words were not just promises, but actionable commitments to rebuild both infrastructure and trust.
Guarding Against Politicization
Perhaps most striking was his warning against those who sought to exploit the tragedy for political advantage. “Security is about saving lives, not politics,” he declared a message that resonates well beyond Nigeria.
Around the world, societies grappling with violence often face the same danger, leaders turning insecurity into a political weapon rather than a collective mission.
A Lesson in Collective Responsibility
While acknowledging that security is primarily a federal task, Radda called on local communities to take responsibility in resisting collaboration with bandits. It is a reminder of a broader truth: peace is never delivered from the top alone. It requires partnership between governments and citizens.
The Global Takeaway
From Africa to Asia to the Americas, governments are facing rising violence, displacement, and fractured communities. Governor Radda’s response offers a powerful example of how leaders can combine empathy with decisive action. Leadership, at its best, is not about comfort. It is about presence.
In Mantau, a governor showed up and in doing so, reminded us all that security is not just the responsibility of governments, but a collective human duty.
Musa Abdullahi Sufi wrote from Kano, State.o