Radda Draws the Line: “Katsina Will Never Negotiate with Bandits”
Story by Tawheed Yakub, Abuja
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, has firmly restated that his administration will not engage in any form of negotiation with bandits, declaring that the state’s only focus is achieving genuine and lasting peace through firm security and community cooperation.
Governor Radda made this known during the graduation of 100 new officers of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) a local security initiative aimed at deepening grassroots safety efforts across 20 local government areas in the state.
Addressing the officers at the passing-out parade in Katsina, the governor dismissed reports claiming that his government had entered peace talks with criminal groups.
“Those headlines are simply false. We are not negotiating with bandits. What we support is peace not compromise,” Radda said.
Read also: Top seven priorities for Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, by Ibrahim Dan-Halilu
He emphasized that his government’s approach tagged the “Katsina Model” relies on empowering communities to take ownership of peace processes. According to him, communities can engage with repentant bandits under the guidance of the state, but the government itself will never sit at the table with criminals.
“Our role as government is to back local peace efforts and ensure that areas that regain peace also enjoy economic opportunities. That is how we give people dignity and hope,” he added.
Radda proudly noted the success of the initiative, revealing that Jibia has now recorded over eight months of peace, while Batsari has enjoyed seven months without major attacks. Other troubled areas Danmusa, Safana, Faskari, and Sabuwa have also experienced relative calm under the model.
The Community Watch Corps, established over two years ago, continues to grow in size and capacity. The latest batch of 100 officers will be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma, with 50 personnel in each area.
Radda described the corps as a vital link between the people and security agencies, built on community trust and local intelligence.
“We started with uncertainty, but today, the Community Watch Corps is one of our proudest achievements,” he said. “We promised the people peace, and we will not betray that trust.”
The governor also applauded the Nigerian Air Force, Army, and Police for working closely with the state government in intelligence sharing and coordinated responses to attacks.
“This collaboration has made a huge difference. Our operations are faster, smarter, and more united than ever before,” he said.
He, however, warned those considering a return to crime that they would face the full weight of the law.
Katsina’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, praised the initiative, describing it as a homegrown success story.
Read also: Swift police action foils bandit raid on Abuja communities
“Governor Radda saw the problem, analysed it, and conquered it with a model built by our own people for our own people,” Mu’azu said.
He explained that this was the third phase of C-Watch training, following successful batches in October 2023 and November 2024.
Also speaking, Maj. Gen. Junaidu Bindawa (rtd), Chairman of the Standing Committee on the C-Watch, revealed that officers received intensive training in tactics, intelligence gathering, and community policing.
He noted that while the corps had made remarkable progress, improvements in command and control structures would strengthen coordination and accountability across local councils.
Governor Radda concluded the event by urging the officers to serve with integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights.
“You are not just defenders of security you are ambassadors of peace and unity,” he told them”.
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