Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, issued a stern warning on Friday, declaring that he will not tolerate any commissioner, traditional ruler, or member of his cabinet who aids and abets banditry in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
He further emphasised that he would not negotiate with any bandit or criminal groups.
Katsina State is among the North-Western states grappling with the activities of bandits, a loosely organised and heavily armed group with over 120 factions operating in the region.
Speaking at a media chat held at Transcorp Hilton, the governor stated that efforts are ongoing to thwart the incursions of these armed groups into the state.
He highlighted that some traditional rulers have been identified as possibly involved in criminal activities and are under scrutiny.
Radda stressed that no one, including his commissioners, would be spared if found to be engaged in criminal activities.
He stated, “We are talking about the lives of Katsina people, not one single individual. No single individual is more important than 10 million people, especially the lives of innocent persons in the village.”
Governor Radda expressed his deep concern regarding the persistence of kidnapping and violent incidents in the state, emphasising that the situation had been distressing since he assumed office.
In response, the state government has recruited around 1,500 Community Watch Officers from eight frontline local governments to support efforts in countering insecurity.
These officers will provide intelligence and empower residents to defend themselves against attacks.
To further enhance security, the state invested over N7 billion to procure armoured personnel carriers, 65 Hilux vehicles, 700 motorcycles, and security equipment for the Community Watch Corps Officers.
These community security personnel often have first-hand experiences and strong motivation to address the security challenges in the state, having witnessed crimes against their communities.
The state is also implementing a ‘know your neighbour’ approach to monitoring housing rentals and sales, aiming to prevent criminals from infiltrating communities. Many bandit leaders live in cities, not in the bush, and the governor believes that this approach will help reduce criminal activities in society.
