Katsina gov reveals ongoing negotiations with bandits

The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, entered into negotiations with bandits terrorising some communities in parts of the state.

The confirmation came after two years of debates on whether to go on with the truce with the daredevil or not.

The governor, who at a different occasions distanced his administration from ongoing negotiation with bandits in the state, however, admitted that the truce has restored stability in already four established truce frontline local government areas.

Radda, who made this known while unveiling an 18-month European Union-funded project, Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience in Katsina, noted that the negotiation was ongoing in an additional two frontline local governments of the state for a truce.

It was learnt that Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Kurfi local government areas of Katsina State have so far struck a peace deal with the bandits.

The CPCRR project is being implemented by the International Organisation for Migration in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development and Mercy Corps in Katsina and Zamfara states to foster peace and socio-economic stability.

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However, according to Radda, “This project is not a top-down intervention. It is community-owned, locally-led and culturally sensitive.

“From the onset, we have ensured that community voices, especially those of women, youths and persons with disabilities, are central to planning and implementation. So, the state government has already gone far in this.

“I can assure you that due to this locally made community peace initiative, we are able to resolve crises in four of our frontline local governments out of the eight that we already have, and negotiation is going on in two additional frontline local governments.”

Radda further said the project was designed to tackle the root causes of conflict and strengthen the resilience of vulnerable villages and communities, spanning “eight high-risk local governments” in the state.

He said schools and markets have been shut down, farms abandoned, children remain out of school, while parents buried their children and elderly persons fled their ancestral homes due to “unprecedented security and humanitarian” challenges.

“In Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Safana, Sabuwa, Faskari, and Dandume Local Governments, our frontline communities, community schools have been closed down, farms abandoned, markets shut down, children have missed education, parents have buried their children, and elders have fled their ancestral homes due to this conflict.

Radda reiterated that apart from insecurity, the state faces drought, desertification and shrinking of farmlands, which escalate resource competition and deepen vulnerability, as well as the land use system.

He admitted that economic stagnation and youth unemployment have further fueled the crisis, saying, “These are not isolated issues, they are interconnected crises that demand integrated, holistic and community-driven solutions.”

Earlier, the IOM Chief of Mission, Dimanche Sharon, said the CPCRR project targeted over 95,000 persons across communities in Katsina and Zamfara states.

She explained that over 1.3 million people, including women and children, have been displaced by conflict in the North-West region of the state in February 2025.

“Too many families have been displaced, too many farms abandoned, and too many lives disrupted by insecurity.

“Yet, despite these challenges, the people of Katsina and Zamfara have shown resilience, determination, and the will to rebuild”, Sharon added.