Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has announced that community-led peace agreements with bandits are producing significant positive outcomes, marked by a dramatic drop in violence and state expenditure on victims.
Governor's Tour Highlights Security Improvements
The governor made this assessment on Friday during his ongoing tour of local government areas, which included visits to Batsari and Danmusa. He specifically highlighted the improved security situation in zones previously terrorized by bandits.
To demonstrate the progress, Governor Radda traveled via the road that passes through the once-notorious Danburum Forest in Batsari. This forest was a feared bandit hideout where hundreds were killed and many more kidnapped for ransom. According to the governor, the area is now relatively peaceful, allowing farming and other activities to gradually resume.
Sharp Decline in Incidents and Financial Burden
Governor Radda provided concrete evidence of the peace deal's impact. He revealed that a state agency responsible for the medical bills of banditry victims spent less than N2 million in November. This figure represents a massive reduction from the previous monthly expenditure, which often exceeded N40 million.
"Before now, the agency used to spend over 40 million a month to address some of the health bills of the victims. But that figure has substantially improved in recent months," Governor Radda stated. He added that financial support for rescued kidnap victims and families of the deceased has also greatly reduced.
Acknowledging Progress Amid Persistent Challenges
While celebrating the gains, the governor acknowledged that Katsina is not yet completely free from banditry. However, he emphasized that the security landscape has improved substantially in the affected communities.
"We thank God the peace deal initiative organized by the communities is yielding a very positive result. I can say that in the last few days I have not received one single incident in the state from the security forces like I had been receiving," he remarked.
Governor Radda called on religious leaders to continue praying for lasting peace to ensure the sustainability of these agreements. He concluded that while challenges remain, the state is making significant and measurable progress in its fight against insecurity.
