Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called on Islamic clerics to work closely with security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to strengthen the fight against banditry and other crimes.
The governor made the call during a sensitisation programme and public lecture organised by the Katsina Scholars Forum for Community Advancement, led by Sheikh Munir Adam Koza.
Governor Radda said tackling insecurity requires the support of every member of society, especially religious leaders, whose words and guidance carry great influence among the people.
“Government has a responsibility to protect lives and property, but the people also have a responsibility to support that effort. We must all work together by exposing those who provide information, logistics and other forms of support to criminals,” the governor said.
He recalled that when he assumed office, 23 out of the state’s 34 local government areas were badly affected by banditry.
According to him, his administration responded by recruiting 2,500 members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps and providing them with the equipment needed to support the police, the military and other security agencies.
Radda said the effort has produced encouraging results, with many roads that were once unsafe now open to travellers and several markets that had been closed because of bandit attacks returning to normal business.
He noted that although many frontline local government areas are now relatively peaceful, security agencies remain alert to emerging threats in parts of Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas.
The governor said the Community Watch
