Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, has introduced a program aimed at rooting peace and preventing a relapse into violence among former bandits.
In a communiqué jointly signed by Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, and Director-General of Governor on Media, Maiwada DanMallam, Radda stated the state will build 152 new homes for IDPs displaced families in the Jibia Local Government Area, and repentant combatants will be provided with industrial equipment, cows, and business packages for support to ease their reintegration.
This came after a high-stake gathering in Katsina issued a communique, where royal fathers, religious leaders, elders, ex-service chiefs, and respected indigenes assembled to discuss security milestones and develop long-term plans.
Commissioner for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Dr. Nasiru Muazu, in a presentation titled “The Trend and Dynamics of Banditry, Kidnapping and Cattle Rustling in Katsina State: Community Participation as a Panacea,” assigned the cause of insecurity to greed, climate change-related resource conflicts, and inherent social grievances.
He added that banditry had pervaded from five to 25 local governments due to the uncertain fate of a previous amnesty scheme. Muazu revealed the counter-insurgency efforts of the Radda administration, which feature training and arming Community Watch Corps, vigilantes, and volunteers with vehicles, guns, drones, and communication devices.
He added that collaborative operations with the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, and NSCDC had forced some gang leaders to accept peace.
In reaction to the criticism of the peace process, Muazu reaffirmed that the agreements were people-initiated from the grassroots with local leaders mediating directly. Recent agreements in Dan Musa, Jibia, Batsari, Kankara, Kurfi, and Musawa were cited as evidence of grassroots-motivated reconciliation.
