Governor Radda Denies Negotiating with Bandits, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace Through ‘Katsina Model’

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has firmly rejected reports alleging that his administration is negotiating with the bandits terrorizing parts of the state. 

He made this declaration while inaugurating 100 additional members of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) in Katsina on Wednesday.

Governor Radda stated that while his government is “always welcome[s] peace,” it will not seek negotiation with bandits. He admitted that the initial phase of the C-Watch initiative, launched about two years ago, was challenging and uncertain, but his determination to end banditry remained absolute, having been a core promise of his campaign.

Addressing the rumors directly, the Governor said, “The headlines say the Katsina State Government was negotiating with bandits, but that was far from reality.”

Radda clarified that the adopted strategy, known as the “Katsina Model,” is a fully community-driven approach. This model allows members of the affected communities themselves to initiate and negotiate peace pacts with repentant bandits who voluntarily agree to lay down their arms, contrasting sharply with any official government negotiation.