Katsina State Government has said the spate of banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling has substantially reduced by as much as 70 per cent in the state.
A statement by a spokesperson for the state governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, stated that the reduction followed a comprehensive policing strategy and a sustained offensive against criminal elements.
Mohammed said the reduction level was announced by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Muazu, during a high-stakes consultation on security and governance organised by Governor Dikko Radda to brief indigenes on the state’s security progress.
“According to Mu’azu, the well-designed community policing approach, coupled with intermittent offensive operations against bandits and their enclaves, has forced many criminal groups to reach out to community leaders seeking peace accords.
“Notable bandit leaders who have indicated willingness to lay down arms include Audu Lankai and others from Jibia Local Government Area; Abu Radde and associates from Batsari; Ruga Kachalla and his group from Safana LGA; Ummaru Manore and others from Danmusa LGA; Sani Muhidingi and associates from Kurfi LGA; and Wada and his group from Musawa LGA.
“The commissioner revealed that community leaders are currently working to secure similar peace accords in Sabuwa (Risku), Faskari (Isa Kwashen Garwa/Adamu Alieru) and Kankara (Mustapha Babaro) local government areas.
“The security strategy has yielded significant results in rescue operations, with 143 kidnap victims freed from frontline and vulnerable local government areas. The breakdown shows 67 victims rescued from Sayaya in Matazu LGA and 76 from Gidan Mantau in Malumfashi LGA.
“Mu’azu explained that numerous bandit enclaves have been destroyed, forcing the criminals to retreat to the fringes of forests in neighbouring Zamfara and Kaduna states.
“The improved security situation has led to the reopening of several major roads that were previously considered no-go areas. These include Katsina-Jibia, Katsina-Batsari, Yantumaki-Danmusa, Danmusa-Musawa, Dutsinma-Mararrabar Kankara, Charanchi-Musawa, Safana-Batsari, Runka-Danmusa, and Jibia-Batsari routes.
“The commissioner also noted that the local communities have established a consultation, monitoring, and evaluation committee that holds daily discussions to address emerging issues and conducts monthly reviews of progress,” Mohammed said.
He stated that the security briefing was part of Governor Radda’s broader consultation with the sons and daughters of Katsina State to keep them informed about developments in their home state.
