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Gov Radda |
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, on Monday, gave assurances to the citizens that the North-West Governor’s Forum is committed to ensuring that insecurity does not become synonymous with the region.
Governor Radda made this declaration during the inauguration of the two-day North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina, themed “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North-West Nigeria.”
He urged leaders to adopt a variety of strategies to tackle insecurity, noting that banditry has significantly disrupted daily life and hindered economic progress.
Radda emphasized the need to upgrade regional surveillance, invest in advanced technologies like drones and satellite imagery, and improve the synergy between different security agencies.
He recommended the establishment of more effective communication systems to facilitate prompt action against security threats.
Further, Radda underscored the role of community involvement in collecting valuable intelligence to counter criminal acts.
He stated, “Tackling banditry isn't just a task for our security forces. It's imperative to work alongside local communities, traditional authorities, and religious figures to cultivate a spirit of collaboration and trust.
“Several states in the region have initiated community security programs where local groups collaborate closely with official security personnel to safeguard their areas.”
Radda pointed out that banditry is often rooted in economic hardship and a scarcity of opportunities.
He suggested that providing vocational training, job creation, and backing for small to medium enterprises might steer at-risk individuals away from paths of crime.
He reiterated the importance of establishing efficient communication channels for swift threat responses.
The governor also mentioned that equipping national security forces with sufficient resources is a key strategy in the fight against banditry.
“To wage an effective battle against banditry, bolstering our intelligence-gathering capabilities is crucial,” he concluded.
