13th August, 2023
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/ Katsina
Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, has ruled out possibilities of signing Peace Accord with bandits who have been terrorizing people and diminishing economic activities in the state.
Governor Radda, however, said criminals and bandits who are wiling to repent and surrender will enjoy amnesty by his administration.
Radda stated this at a special prayer session for the restoration of peace in the State, and the neighbouring Niger Republic.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the prayer session was held at the ‘People Square’, beside the Katsina Government House.
The session attracted Imams and several religious leaders from across the 361 political wards in the State.
Radda, who promised to provide sophisticated equipment and other logistics to security personnel in the state for them to properly secure Katsina residents, tasked the 34 Local Government Areas Chairmen to submit proposals to the State Government for support, in terms of helping them provide security at the frontline areas battling insecurity.
He, however, appreciated some committed members of Bakori and Kurfi, among other Katsina Local Government Areas for securing their areas against bandits.
He said, “the state government is more concerned about the alarming rate of insecurity at the frontline local governments, together with the emergence of Kauraye (thugs) who attack and rob people of their belongings, in the Katsina metropolis.”
This, he said, prompted a recent emergency meeting with LG chairmen, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), traditional rulers and other stakeholders, to roll out possible measures in addressing the problem.
Radda, at the prayer session, announced the donation of five bags of rice to each of the 361 electoral wards to feed the needy, as a sacrifice for Allah’s mercy.
In his remarks, Speaker of Katsina state House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Yahya Daura, promised that their legislative arm would approve all government requests on the issue of security.
He said the plan by the state government to submit to their Assembly the Bill establishing a Zakkat and Waqaf Commission, together with Hisba, were among other steps to reduce social vices, leading to crimes in Katsina.