Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Radda, says peace agreements initiated by communities with bandits are beginning to show meaningful progress across the state.
Radda made the comments during his tour of Batsari and Danmusa LGAs, noting noticeable improvements in security in areas previously affected by relentless attacks.
To demonstrate the gains, the governor on Friday drove through the road that passes the once-feared Danburum Forest in Batsari. The forest, long known as a bandits’ enclave where many were killed or abducted, is now said to be calm enough for farming and other activities to resume.
During the trip, the governor’s convoy briefly stopped in the forest, where some passengers walked a short distance to pick edible wild fruits. A source said the fruits were later offered to the governor and other officials, who ate them.
Radda stressed that although banditry has not been completely eliminated, the peace deals have brought major relief to several communities.
He said, “We thank God the peace deal initiative organized by the communities is yielding very positive results. In the last few days, I have not received a single incident report from the security forces, unlike before.”
The governor also highlighted the financial benefits of the initiative. He revealed that a state agency responsible for medical and related support for victims of bandit attacks spent less than N2 million in November—compared to the over N40 million it used to spend monthly.
He added that assistance to rescued kidnap victims and bereaved families has also reduced significantly. “We have not paid that amount of money for a long time,” he said.
While acknowledging ongoing security concerns, Radda said the state is witnessing substantial improvement and urged religious leaders to continue praying for lasting peace and for the success of the peace agreements.
