Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has disclosed that the Katsina State Government, under his leadership, will not sign any peace accord with marauding armed bandits who terroriase and kill innocent residents of the state.
He, however, said that his administration will be willing to offer amnesty to terrorists who turn a new leaf, by agreeing to surrender.
Radda stated this at a special prayer session for the restoration of peace in the State, and the neighboring Niger Republic.
A statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Governor’s spokesperson, and made available to newsmen indicates that the prayer session was held at the ‘People Square’, beside the Katsina Government House.
The session attracted Imams and several religious leaders from across the 361 political wards in the State.
Radda, who promised to provide sophisticated equipment and other logistics to security personnel in the state for them to properly secure Katsina residents, asked the 34 Local Governments’ Chairmen to submit proposals to the State Government for support, in terms of helping them provide security at the frontline areas battling insecurity.
He appreciated some committed members of Bakori and Kurfi, among other Katsina local governments for securing their areas against bandits.
“The State Government is more concerned about the alarming rate of insecurity at the frontline local governments, together with the emergence of Kauraye (thugs) who attack and rob people of their belongings, in the Katsina metropolis,” he said.
This, he said, prompted a recent emergency meeting with LG chairmen, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), traditional rulers and other stakeholders, to roll out possible measures in addressing the problem.
Radda, at the prayer session, announced the donation of five bags of rice to each of the 361 electoral wards to feed the needy, as a sacrifice for Allah’s mercy.
While speaking, Alh. Nasiru Yahya Daura, the Speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, promised that their legislative arm would approve all government requests on the issue of security. He said the plan by the State Government to submit to their Assembly the Bill establishing a Zakkat and Waqaf Commission, together with Hizba, were among other steps to reduce social vices, leading to crimes in Katsina.
On behalf of the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, Kauran Katsina, Alhaji Aminu Nuhu Abdulkadir, enjoined religious leaders in the State, to sustain their prayers for the restoration of peace in Katsina, during their five daily prayers.
