Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has restated that his administration will not engage in any form of negotiation with bandits terrorizing parts of the state but remains open to genuine peace efforts initiated by communities.
Radda made this clear on Wednesday while inaugurating 100 new members of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) in Katsina, reaffirming his government’s commitment to restoring peace and security across the state.
He recalled that when the C-Watch initiative was launched about two years ago, the administration faced major challenges but remained focused on ending insecurity.
“I have consistently maintained that the government will not negotiate with bandits but will always welcome peace,” he said. “We promised to restore safety to our communities, and that promise will not be broken.”
The governor explained that the Katsina Model is a community-driven peace strategy that allows affected areas to engage directly with repentant bandits willing to surrender their arms, while the government provides support and ensures law and order.
“Our aim is to ensure that communities that enjoy peace also benefit socio-economically, giving our people a dignified life,” he added.
Radda noted that the model has yielded results, with Jibia recording eight months without a major attack, and Batsari enjoying seven months of peace. Other local government areas such as Danmusa, Safana, Faskari, and Sabuwa have also seen a reduction in attacks.
He stressed that kinetic operations by security agencies remain crucial, warning that anyone who returns to criminal activities will face the full weight of the law.
“This ceremony is proof that the government will not relent in fighting insecurity and banditry wherever they exist,” he said.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, commended the governor’s efforts, describing his community-based approach as a successful strategy that has significantly reduced insecurity in the state.
He noted that the event marked the third phase of the C-Watch training, following earlier batches in October 2023 and November 2024. The newly trained officers will be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas, with 50 personnel assigned to each.