Katsina, Nigeria – On October 10, 2023, the ancient city of Katsina was filled with excitement and anticipation as Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, alongside several other esteemed governors, took decisive action to address the issue of insecurity in the region and promote investment opportunities. Governors Dauda Lawal, Abba Yusuf, Nasir Idris, Ahmed Aliyu, Mai Mala Buni, and Aminu Usman all stood united in support of Governor Radda’s efforts.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the first batch of graduates from the Katsina Community Watch Corps. These 1,500 carefully selected and extensively trained youths will be deployed back to their local communities as vigilantes, to assist security agencies in curbing the menace of insecurity. This initiative epitomizes the age-old adage of “If you want a job done well, do it yourself.”
These youths, who have borne the brunt of banditry, are either victims themselves or have seen their loved ones suffer at the hands of these criminals. Like Governor Radda, many of them have experienced the pain of losing a loved one or the trauma of having a family member held captive by bandits. These capable and resilient youths have been yearning for an opportunity to confront the menace of banditry but lacked the necessary framework to do so. Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda has risen to the occasion by providing them with the means to assist the government in its fight against insecurity. This undertaking is unprecedented and highly pragmatic. The idea of allowing able-bodied youths to remain vulnerable and defenseless against bandits is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable.
It should be noted that Governor Radda has made a commitment to utilize every available resource to ensure that the people of Katsina State can safely cultivate their farms and sleep soundly at night. This commitment was recently underscored by a significant allocation of over N7 billion towards the procurement of security materials, aimed at bolstering the effectiveness of security agencies in Katsina State. This includes the acquisition of vehicles, weaponry, and innovative technological solutions geared towards revolutionizing the fight against insecurity.
Equally commendable was the simultaneous launch of 61 customized Hilux vehicles and 700 motorcycles, which will greatly enhance the security architecture of Katsina State. The distribution of the Hilux vehicles is as follows:
– Each of the 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state received one for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
– Eight LGAs that have been severely affected by banditry received two Hilux vehicles each for their local chapter of the Community Watch Corps.
– Eleven LGAs, which are vulnerable and in proximity to the eight frontline LGAs, received one vehicle each. These vehicles will support the eight frontline LGAs in their efforts to prevent the escalation of the menace.
A total of 700 motorcycles were also distributed as follows:
– The eight frontline LGAs received 50 motorcycles each for their Community Watch Corps (a total of 400 motorcycles).
– Each of the 11 vulnerable LGAs received 25 motorcycles for their Community Watch Corps (a total of 275 motorcycles).
Furthermore, the headquarters of the Community Watch Corps received 25 motorcycles for general use.
This bold step taken by Governor Radda demonstrates his unwavering commitment to applying conventional, practical, and sustainable means of ensuring the safety of Katsina State, instead of succumbing to the expensive and short-lived idea of negotiating peace with bandits. Negotiating temporary peace with bandits only perpetuates their control and authority, without addressing the root causes of the problem. Governor Radda’s decision to establish the Community Watch Corps while rejecting the notion of negotiating peace with bandits is both courageous and commendable.
One of the most significant takeaways from this event, along with the establishment of the Community Watch Corps, is Governor Radda’s ability to unite all the governors of the Northwest in a collective effort to combat banditry in the region. For years, many have argued that the Northwest must stand together as one to confront the issue of banditry, as no single state can fully resolve the problem on its own due to the vastness and interconnectedness of the bandits’ hideouts in the region’s forests. Without a unified approach, the governors of the region would simply be transferring the problem from one state to another, depending on which state can offer the bandits a more comfortable environment. Thanks to Governor Radda, the states of the Northwest now have a shared framework and cohesive strategy in place. It is worth noting the enthusiasm and support from Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, despite Kano not being as severely affected by banditry. Governor Yusuf’s camaraderie is commendable.
The commitment to working together as a united front extends beyond addressing banditry. The Northwest governors have also vowed to collaborate in reviving the region’s economy, revitalizing agriculture, and expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for his intervention in the revival of hydropower in the region. In summary, it was a beautiful and promising day. We pray that Allah SWT grants these governors success in their endeavors, as their collective efforts are key to unlocking the immense potential of the Northwest.
At this point, it is essential to appeal to the media community to support these developments by reducing negative reporting on security matters, or at the very least, refraining from sensationalizing such issues with false or unsubstantiated claims. This approach will enable the region to instill the confidence needed to attract foreign investors, who play a vital role in the region’s economic growth. It is crucial to remember that our individual actions are as consequential to the region’s development as the actions of our leaders. Foreign investors will not be inclined to invest in the Northwest if all they hear are stories of banditry and bloodshed. Although there are areas that may pose risks even for locals, it is important to provide accurate information and not paint the entire Katsina State as a dangerous place, as it is not the case.
I would also like to express my appreciation for the presence of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State at this event. Moreover, I commend Governor Radda for his launch of an additional 40 units of Toyota HiAce buses for the Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA), aimed at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal. It is indeed a joyous occasion to witness these commendable achievements, especially in the presence of former President Buhari himself. I am confident that he returned to Daura with a renewed sense of satisfaction, knowing that Katsina State is in capable hands and that there is more progress to come. May Allah SWT answer his prayers for the prosperity of Katsina State, the Northwest, and Nigeria as a whole.
