Vigilance group kill notorious bandit, Waka Burki, in Katsina

The Katsina State Community Watch Corps have killed Sani Waka Burki and scores of his foot soldiers involved in kidnappings and banditry in the Batsari and Safana councils of the state.

This development has brought joy to members of the Arewa New Frontiers, who have expressed happiness over the return of normalcy to 22 councils in Katsina State, previously held hostage by bandits and kidnappers before the inauguration of the Governor Umaru Dikko Radda-led administration.

The secretary general of the group, Alh. Mohammed Ibn Abdulsalam, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, remarked that the progress made in maintaining peace in the state over the past year reflects the wisdom behind the establishment of the Community Watch Corps.

The group commended Governor Dillon Radda for recruiting 1,466 personnel into the Community Watch Corps to address the banditry and kidnapping crises that plagued the state.

They also expressed satisfaction with the recent interception of a commercial vehicle carrying a cache of ammunition in Batsari.

They noted that Governor Radda’s multi-faceted approach—including the establishment of the Hisbah Board and the Committee on Encroached Cattle Routes and Grazing Reserves—demonstrates his deep understanding of the complex security challenges.

The group noted the governor’s procurement of 10 armored personnel carriers, 61 branded Hilux vehicles, 700 motorcycles, and advanced surveillance equipment worth over N10 billion as a testament to his commitment to protecting the people of the state.

They further praised the creation of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to coordinate security responses across all 34 local government areas, which has significantly improved response times and enhanced coordination among conventional security agencies and state initiatives.

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Appreciating the restoration of normalcy in the state, the group noted: “Markets are reopening, farmers are returning to their fields, and our children can once again attend school without fear. While we acknowledge that there is still work to be done, we must commend Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to securing Katsina State. His achievements in just this short period give us confidence that together we shall overcome these challenges.

“These are just a few records of success. We are proud to see Zamfara and Kaduna States adopting this successful initiative, and we hope other Northwest states do the same. The governor’s commitment is not mere rhetoric; it is backed by unprecedented investment in security infrastructure.

“From 22 local government areas being under severe security threat, we are witnessing a steady decline in criminal activities. Now, the security threats have been reduced to three local governments.

“The governor is not just addressing immediate security threats but also strategically fighting the underlying causes of conflict. That’s Governor Radda, and that’s a demonstration of remarkable wisdom in governance.”