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Katsina gov denies negotiating with bandits

Published

2 months ago

October 16, 2025

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Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Radda, has reaffirmed that his administration is not negotiating with bandits, stressing that the state seeks only genuine and sustainable peace.

He made this declaration during the inauguration of 100 new officers of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch), which will extend the security outfit’s operations to 20 of the state’s 34 local government areas.

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the third batch of C-Watch officers in Katsina, Radda reflected on his administration’s steady progress toward restoring lasting peace across the state.

There had been reports of a supposed peace meeting between bandits and government officials in the state, but the governor dismissed the claims as false.

“The headlines say the Katsina State Government is negotiating with bandits, but that is far from reality. I have publicly maintained that the government will not negotiate with bandits but will always welcome peace,” Radda said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to decisively end banditry in Katsina State, describing what he called the “Katsina Model” as a fully community-driven approach.

According to him, the model allows members of affected communities to initiate and negotiate peace pacts with repentant bandits who agree to lay down their arms.

“The role of the state government is to encourage and support the peace process while maintaining law and order in these communities. Our focus is to ensure that communities that enjoy peace also benefit socio-economically, giving our people a dignified existence,” he said.

Radda highlighted the successes recorded through the community peace accord initiative, noting that Jibia had enjoyed eight months without a major attack, while Batsari had recorded seven months of uninterrupted peace.

“Other local government areas — Danmusa, Safana, Faskari, and Sabuwa — have also witnessed relative calm since adopting the initiative,” he added.

The governor explained that the Community Watch Corps was established to combat banditry and entrench lasting peace in the state.

“When we launched the Community Watch Corps over two years ago, we were in uncharted territory. The learning curve was steep, and the uncertainty was high.

We were a new administration with the arduous task of bringing peace and security to many parts of the state.

The only thing I was certain of was my administration’s determination to bring an end to banditry in Katsina State. I campaigned on it, and the trust of the people was not going to be forsaken.”

The newly graduated officers will be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma local government areas, with 50 officers assigned to each.

Dutsin-Ma, which shares boundaries with Safana, Danmusa, and Matazu, remains one of the epicentres of banditry in the state.

Radda affirmed that kinetic operations by federal security agencies remained central to Katsina’s overall security architecture.

“This ceremony is proof that the state government will not relent in fighting insecurity and banditry wherever they exist. Those who wish to return to crime will face the full force of the law,” he warned.

He commended the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Police Force for their strong collaboration with the state government, noting that the synergy with federal agencies had improved intelligence sharing, response times, and coordinated operations.

The governor charged the new officers to uphold professionalism and respect for human rights at all times.

“You are entrusted not only with maintaining security but also with representing the shared goals of a peaceful and prosperous Katsina State.

It is essential to uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights in the discharge of your duties,” he said.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, lauded the initiative, saying:

“No doubt, he saw, he analysed, and he conquered — using a homegrown, community-based approach in which able-bodied young men from their various communities were selected, screened, trained, and deployed to serve as the first line of defence for their mothers, fathers, wives, daughters, sisters, brothers, and friends.”

Mu’azu noted that the event marked the third phase of the C-Watch training, following the first in October 2023 and the second in November 2024.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, Maj. Gen. Junaidu Bindawa (retd), said the recruits underwent intensive training in minor tactics, weapon handling, communication, arrests, community policing, rules of engagement, and intelligence gathering.

He said the goal was to produce disciplined, professional, and community-focused operatives.

Bindawa, however, identified areas requiring improvement, particularly in command and control from the lowest levels to the state headquarters, to ensure better coordination and accountability.

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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

35 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

See photos:

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“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.

News

Finally Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP , join APC

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Details shortly…