Insecurity: Governor Radda makes strong case for state police

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Katsina

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, has made a strong case for state police as the only panacea to combat insecurity in the state and ensure the attraction of investors and the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He said his government was determined to secure Katsina to create wealth through the attraction of investment and absolute support for MSMEs.

Governor Radda reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity and creating a safer environment for farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Governor Radda shared key updates on Katsina’s evolving security strategy and made a compelling case for the establishment of state police as a lasting solution to grassroots insecurity.

Responding to questions on how insecurity threatens investment, Governor Radda said that from day one, his government understood the gravity of the challenge and quickly established the Katsina Community Watch Corps to provide local intelligence and complement federal security agencies. “When we assumed office, about 24 of our local government areas were affected by insecurity. So, we created a state-led security outfit, equipped them within the limits of the law, and deployed them in collaboration with the military and police. These officers are from the same communities under attack, and they know the terrain better than anyone,” he said.

Governor Radda noted that while insecurity hasn’t been completely eradicated, its scale had been drastically reduced. Most incidents are now limited to border areas near the forests. According to him, “the stories being told outside sometimes exaggerate the true situation.” He added, “Come to Katsina, talk to our people—you’ll see that things have changed. There’s still work to do, but we’ve come a long way.”

He stressed that the fight against banditry must involve the communities themselves. “Over 90% of these criminals are not strangers. They’re from our communities. We know their fathers and grandfathers. That’s why local intelligence is key. We’ve also been able to identify and remove informants and those offering logistics support to bandits.” This grassroots approach has begun to yield results, with some bandits even approaching local authorities seeking peace deals.

However, Governor Radda made it clear that his administration does not negotiate from a position of weakness. “When I assumed office, I said I would never negotiate with bandits. Now that we have pushed them back, peace accords are emerging organically in some areas. In several local governments, there hasn’t been a single attack in over three or four months,” Governor Radda said.

On the issue of state policing, Governor Radda did not mince words: “We support the establishment of state police. Fully. Without it, we cannot equip our officers adequately to fight bandits using AK-47s while we’re limited to pump-action rifles. If we had state police two years ago, this issue would likely be history.”

He acknowledged that, “like many Nigerians, I once feared that state police could be politicized. But my time in office changed that belief. People worry governors will misuse state police. But even federal agencies haven’t guaranteed power—some sitting Presidents lost elections. Nigeria’s democracy is growing, and we must build institutions that work. Let’s stop clinging to outdated fears.”

Governor Radda also emphasized that true security must begin at the grassroots and that local forces accountable to local leadership are better suited to deal with community-specific threats. “We’re not asking to control the military. We’re asking for a policing system that understands our local reality and reports to those closest to the people,” he said.