Katsina: Communities I allowed negotiate with bandits enjoying peace – Gov Radda
Governor Dikko Radda Allows Community Negotiations with Bandits in Katsina State
KATSINA, Nigeria — Dikko Radda, the Governor of Katsina State, has permitted local communities to engage in negotiations with bandits in a bid to restore peace. This decision comes after pleas from affected residents who sought a way to address ongoing security challenges.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, Radda shared that communities experiencing violence requested his approval to negotiate directly with the armed groups. “They have suffered so much, and we are not getting the protection we need from security agencies,” he said, quoting community leaders’ concerns.
Radda emphasized that while he endorsed the negotiations, he would not order any bandits to disarm. “This is not my position but that of the community,” he stated. The governor highlighted that communities engaged in negotiations have reportedly experienced over a year without attacks, attributing peace in several local governments to these discussions.
“Majority of these communities have achieved what they sought — safety, access to their farmlands, and a semblance of normalcy,” Radda noted. He added that it was his duty as governor to respect the will of the communities, stating, “I’m here as a governor based on their wish. Who am I to say I don’t like what they want to do?”
While the negotiations have led to relative tranquility in some areas, Radda maintained that he will not proactively engage with bandits.
