Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda has renewed his appeal to bandits operating in the state to surrender their weapons, renounce violence and embrace peace, assuring them that the government remains open to dialogue, repentance and reintegration.
The governor made the appeal on Thursday while inaugurating a 152-unit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Housing Estate in Magama, Jibia Local Government Area. The project was executed under the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, a partnership between the Katsina State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Addressing residents and stakeholders at the event, Radda urged those involved in banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities to return to their families and communities.
“Lay down your arms and return to your families and communities. The doors for dialogue, repentance and reintegration remain open,” the governor said.
He stressed that opportunities created through government interventions could also benefit those willing to abandon violence and embrace peace.
Radda identified poverty, displacement, climate change and youth unemployment as some of the major drivers of insecurity in the state, noting that lasting peace requires collective action from all segments of society.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities and resolving conflicts before they escalate.
The governor also announced a grant of N200,000 for each beneficiary household to support displaced families in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods.
The housing estate comprises 152 homes, a climate peace hub, a veterinary clinic, an entrepreneurship centre and a 50-kilowatt mini solar grid aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and community recovery.
Earlier, Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Abdulhamid Ahmad, said the housing units were designed to reflect local cultural and architectural traditions, with each house featuring two bedrooms, a bathroom, a toilet and a spacious courtyard.
He added that the beneficiaries, comprising 70 women and 82 men, were selected transparently from communities affected by banditry across the eleven wards of Jibia Local Government Area.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Katsina State’s recovery and development efforts, saying the projects were focused on helping families rebuild their lives and creating opportunities for a safer and more prosperous future.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Danmusa, said security had improved significantly in the state due to the governor’s policies, noting that markets and roads had reopened and residents had returned to their farms and businesses.
(The Whistler)
