Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, has warned that banditry in the state will not end unless informants and collaborators aiding the criminals are identified and removed.
He disclosed that 70% of those aiding bandits live among residents in towns and villages.
Governor Radda made the remarks during a special prayer session held in Katsina to mark his second year in office.
The event was organized by Muslim clerics to pray for peace and progress in the state.He explained that collaborators provide essential supplies such as food, petrol, and drugs to bandits in the forest and also help in selling stolen livestock.
He stressed that this support system is a major factor sustaining bandit operations.
Radda emphasized that tackling insecurity requires collective action, not just government efforts.
He urged religious and political leaders to play active roles in supporting peace initiatives and to engage communities in moral guidance.
He also blamed poor parenting for the rise in criminal activities, noting that many children are left without proper upbringing and moral values, making them vulnerable to crime.
Chief of Staff, Malam Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, praised the governor for fulfilling 75% of his campaign promises.
The event featured Qur’anic recitations and prayers led by selected Islamic scholars across the state.
Reporting by Sani Dutsinma