Group Wants Katsina’s Community Watch Corps Replicated In North-West

A group known as Arewa New Frontiers (ANF) has urged all the states in the North-West to borrow a leaf from the Katsina State Government and establish an outfit like the Katsina Community Watch Corps to assist in tackling insecurity in the region.

According to the group, since its establishment by the administration of Governor Dikko Radda, the Corps had neutralised notorious terrorist leader identified as Sani Waka Burki and his foot soldiers terrorising Safana and Batsari local government areas.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the General Secretary of the Arewa New Frontier, Mohammed Ibn Abdulsalam, said the initiative by Malam Radda’s administration has become a model for other states.

Abdulsalam, recalling the security outfit’s accomplishments in the last year since its establishment, said the Corps had intercepted a commercial vehicle carrying a cache of ammunition in Batsari, among other successes.

He noted that the Governor’s commitment was not mere rhetoric, but it was backed by unprecedented investment in security infrastructure, such as procuring ten armoured personnel carriers, 61 branded Hilux vehicles and 700 motorcycles.

Abdulsalam said, “Advanced surveillance equipment worth over N10 billion demonstrates his (Governor Radda’s) resolve to spare no resource in protecting our people. This is leadership in action, not mere promises. Governor Radda is better described as a ‘Talk and Leader.’

“In a masterstroke of administrative efficiency, His Excellency established the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs. This creates a dedicated institution coordinating security responses across all 34 local government areas. This strategic decision has significantly improved response times and coordination among conventional security agencies and state initiatives.

“It is worth noting that the multi-faceted approach adopted by Governor Radda, including establishing the Hisbah Board and the Committee on Encroached Cattle Routes and Grazing Reserves, shows his deep understanding of the complex nature of our security challenges.

“The Governor is addressing immediate security threats and strategically fighting the underlying causes of conflict. That’s Governor Radda, a demonstration of remarkable wisdom in governance.”

He commended Governor Radda for the initiative, disclosing that 1,466 well-trained personnel have already deployed and an additional 500 members are being trained for the most affected local government areas.

“What is particularly commendable is how His Excellency has transformed the security architecture from reactive to proactive. The Joint Security Operations Communications Centre has turned around our intelligence gathering and response capabilities, enabling us to prevent attacks before they occur.

“From 22 local government areas under severe security threat, we are witnessing a steady decline in criminal activities. Now, the security threats have been reduced to three local governments.

“The results are precise for all to see. Markets are reopening, farmers are returning to their fields, and our children can again attend school without fear. While we acknowledge that there is still work to be done, we must commend Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to securing Katsina State.

“His achievements in this short period give us confidence that we shall overcome these challenges together. Together, we shall build the future of Katsina State. Together, we shall restore lasting peace to our beloved state,” the group’s scribe added.