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Stakeholders in the North-West region have called on states to adopt the community policing framework introduced by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, to address the growing security challenges in their areas.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja by Mohammed Ibn Abdulsalam, the General Secretary of Arewa New Frontiers, in commemoration of the first anniversary of the security outfit established by Governor Radda.
Abdulsalam praised the governor for recruiting 1,466 trained community watch corps in local governments affected by bandit activities, noting that the initiative has become a model worth emulating by other northern states grappling with similar security issues.
The stakeholders highlighted that since the creation of the security force, they have successfully neutralized the notorious bandit leader, Sani Waka Burki, along with several of his associates, who had been terrorizing Safana and Batsari local governments. Additionally, the community watch corps intercepted a commercial vehicle transporting a cache of ammunition in Batsari, among other achievements.
“The acquisition of 10 armoured personnel carriers, 61 branded Hilux vehicles, 700 motorcycles, and advanced surveillance equipment worth over N10 billion demonstrates the governor’s determination to prioritize the safety of the people. His efforts not only address immediate threats but also tackle the root causes of conflict,” Abdulsalam said.
He also commended the establishment of the Joint Security Operations Communications Centre, which has significantly improved intelligence gathering and response times, allowing for the prevention of attacks before they occur. As a result, security threats in the region have decreased from 22 to three local government areas.
“The results are evident. Markets are reopening, farmers are returning to their fields, and children can attend school without fear. While challenges remain, Governor Radda deserves recognition for his courageous actions. It’s encouraging to see Zamfara and Kaduna adopting this successful initiative, and we hope other states in the Northwest follow suit,” Abdulsalam added.