The Katsina State Government has taken a significant step towards improving security in the region by deploying 1,466 freshly trained community watch corps officers to seven key local government areas.
This move aims to address security challenges alongside conventional security forces.
Governor Dikko Radda made this announcement during a graduation ceremony for the first batch of 1,466 community watch corps officers. The ceremony also marked the unveiling of 70 patrol vehicles and 700 motorcycles to aid security operations within the state.
In addition to bolstering the security presence within Katsina, the governor inaugurated 60 new buses intended for transporting students to and from schools across the state.
During the ceremony, Governor Radda emphasized the necessity of addressing not only the symptoms but also the root causes of insecurity, highlighting the pervasive security challenges affecting 22 local government areas within Katsina.
He said: “During my campaigns, I visited the 351 wards in the state and I saw the evil effects of banditry. Despite current efforts, 22 local government areas in the state have security challenges. That is why security has remained our top priority.
“What we are doing is not only to address the symptoms but we are also tackling the roots of insecurity. Bandits are deadly enemies who have no value for human lives. We shall not relent in our efforts to tackle banditry. I will also admonish other states in our region with similar security challenges to embrace our efforts. I also wish to call on the Federal Government to support collaborative efforts by states with security challenges to tackle the problem.”
Governor Radda implored security operatives in the state as well as members of vigilante groups to support the community watch corps.
The event was graced by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion; Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, and Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal.
