Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has confirmed that his administration has opened channels of dialogue with armed bandits as part of efforts to end the protracted insecurity crisis bedeviling the state.
Speaking during a media parley on Monday, Radda said the negotiations were aimed at finding a lasting solution to the frequent attacks, kidnappings, and killings that have devastated farming communities and displaced thousands of residents across Katsina.
The governor stressed that while his government continues to support military and security operations in the troubled areas, dialogue with the insurgents has become inevitable.
“We cannot fold our arms while our people continue to suffer. We are engaging with all stakeholders, including some of the bandit groups, to seek a sustainable path to peace,” Radda said.
He explained that the talks were being handled with caution to avoid granting undue legitimacy to criminal gangs, adding that the state government’s priority remains the safety of lives and property.
The governor also appealed for the cooperation of traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to support both the military offensives and peace initiatives.
Katsina, the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been one of the epicentres of armed banditry in the North-West, with dozens of rural communities repeatedly attacked in recent years.
Security analysts remain divided on the effectiveness of negotiating with bandits, with some warning it could embolden the criminals, while others believe it offers a pragmatic approach to ending violence where force alone has failed.
