Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has reaffirmed that his administration will not enter into any form of negotiation or peace deal with armed bandits terrorizing parts of the state.
The governor made the declaration while addressing journalists in Katsina on Tuesday, stressing that dialogue with criminal elements has failed repeatedly and only emboldened them to continue their attacks. He said his government remains committed to a security-driven approach that combines military action, intelligence gathering, and community participation.
“We have tried the path of dialogue in the past, and it did not yield lasting peace,” Radda said. “Negotiating with people who have no respect for human life or the rule of law is not a sustainable solution. We will instead confront them with the full weight of the law.”
The governor noted that Katsina, which has been one of the states most affected by banditry in the Northwest, is intensifying collaboration with federal security agencies to dismantle criminal networks operating within its borders. He said the state has invested heavily in logistics, technology, and local security formations to strengthen the ongoing fight against terrorism and rural crime.
According to Radda, his administration has also established a Security Watch Corps, a state-backed initiative aimed at providing real-time intelligence to security agencies and improving coordination among local vigilantes. He added that his government is working closely with traditional leaders and community heads to restore confidence among residents in rural areas.
“Our approach is holistic,” the governor explained. “While security forces are tackling the criminals in the forests, we are addressing the root causes—poverty, unemployment, and lack of education—that make our youths vulnerable to recruitment by these groups.”
Radda condemned the attacks on farming communities, describing them as acts of economic sabotage intended to cripple food production and worsen hardship. He assured citizens that his government will not relent until every part of the state is safe for farming, business, and education.
The governor also urged citizens to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities. He warned against shielding criminals or engaging in acts that undermine the state’s counterinsurgency efforts.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” he said. “Our people must realize that silence or collaboration with bandits only prolongs our suffering. Together, we can reclaim our communities and restore peace.”
Radda expressed optimism that with sustained pressure and improved cooperation among stakeholders, Katsina will soon overcome the menace of banditry. He called on the federal government to maintain momentum in the deployment of security assets across the region.
The governor’s remarks come amid renewed attacks in parts of the state, where armed groups have targeted villages and kidnapped residents. However, authorities insist that recent military operations have significantly weakened the capacity of the bandits to carry out large-scale assaults.
Radda’s position aligns with that of other Northwest governors who have rejected amnesty deals for bandits, arguing that such measures only reward criminal behavior and undermine justice for victims.
