Katsina Government Declares 70% Reduction In Banditry

Katsina State government has announced a 70 per cent reduction in crime and criminality, following Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s aggressive security and community-policing strategy.

The commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, revealed the figure during a high-level consultation on security and governance yesterday at Government House.

He attributed the feat to sustained offensive operations and a grassroots policing model that have pushed notorious bandit leaders to negotiate peace accords with local communities.

Mu’azu disclosed that Audu Lankai of Jibia, Abu Radde of Batsari, Ruga Kachalla of Safana, Ummaru Manore of Danmusa, Sani Muhidingi of Kurfi, and Wada of Musawa are among those signalling a willingness to surrender. Similar talks are underway in Sabuwa, Faskari and Kankara local government areas.

The commissioner said 143 kidnap victims have been freed in recent weeks, including 67 rescued from Sayaya in Matazu LGA and 76 from Gidan Mantau in Malumfashi. Multiple bandit camps were also destroyed, forcing the criminals to retreat into forests along the Zamfara and Kaduna borders.

Improved security has enabled the reopening of key highways once deemed unsafe, such as the Katsina–Jibia, Katsina–Batsari, Yantumaki–Danmusa, and Dutsinma–Mararrabar Kankara routes,” he said.