Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, on Monday, assured indigenes that the North-West Governor’s Forum will not allow insecurity to define the region.
Radda said this at the opening of a two-day North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina with the theme “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North-West Nigeria.”
He encouraged leaders to embrace diverse methods to combat insecurity, stating that banditry has disrupted lives and stifled economic activities.
The governor noted that providing adequate resources to national security forces is an effective way of combating banditry.
“To effectively combat banditry, we need to strengthen our intelligence networks,” he added.
According to Radda, this means improving the region’s surveillance systems, investing in modern technology such as drones as well as satellite imagery and enhancing coordination among various security agencies.
He advised leaders to establish more efficient communication channels to ensure timely responses to threats.
Speaking further, Radda highlighted the importance of community engagement in gathering actionable intelligence against criminal activities.
He said: “However, addressing banditry is not solely the responsibility of our security agencies. We must engage with local communities, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to foster a culture of cooperation and trust.
“Most states in the region have already established community security initiatives where local outfits work hand in hand with formal security forces to protect their communities.”
Radda said that banditry often originates from economic deprivation and lack of opportunities.
He added that vocational training, job opportunities, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises could help divert vulnerable individuals from criminal activities.