Katsina adds second batch to community watch corps

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has introduced another batch of the state-owned security outfit, the Community Watch Corps, to further support the efforts of security agencies in tackling terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping in the state.

The second batch of CWC members consists of 550 personnel selected from ten local government areas of the state, including Bakori, Danja, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Kafur, Matazu, Charanchi, Musawa, Malumfashi, and Funtua, bringing the total number of personnel employed to combat insecurity to 2,006.

Recall that at the graduation ceremony of the first batch of 1,456 CWC members in Katsina, Radda mentioned that the trainees had been drilled by the military, police, and DSS officers in intelligence gathering and combat skills to prepare them for facing bandits.

During the unveiling on Friday, Radda explained that the community watch corps members were selected from each ward across local government areas grappling with armed banditry and other security challenges in the state.

The governor tasked the new members to be proactive and combat-ready and to work closely with the police, military, DSS, and civil defence operatives in surveillance, information sharing, and confronting bandits, kidnappers, informants, armed robbers, and other criminals.

Speaking on the impact of the CWC’s first batch, Radda noted that over the past year, the state has experienced remarkable peace and stability.

According to him, “When we launched the Community Watch Corps over a year ago, we embarked on a journey rooted in the belief that the most effective way to secure our communities is through active participation and collaboration. The community approach was not just a strategy but a vision to empower our people to take ownership of their safety and well-being.

“Over the past year, we have witnessed remarkable successes. Crime rates have significantly decreased in areas where our Community Watch Officers have been active. Communities once plagued by fear are now experiencing peace and stability. This is a testament to what we can achieve with a common purpose. The gains of our fight against insecurity have reunited hundreds of kidnapped persons with their families. We have neutralised several bandit cells with their leaders, and many have sought negotiations with the government,” Radda said.

He further explained that the government has trained rural communities in remote areas to provide a first line of defence until reinforcements arrive.

“We are actively encouraging all communities that wish to participate in our peace-building and self-defence programmes to nominate qualified candidates and partner with the state in our progress towards total security in Katsina State,” Radda added.

Additionally, the governor said that in his administration’s drive towards a three-tier security structure, 6,652 ward-level personnel have been recruited to engage in the fight against insecurity.

He stated, “We also engaged village and district heads and provided support to them. The Imams, Ladans, and Naibis were also included in the state payroll as part of our holistic approach to community-driven security.

“I call upon our Community Watch Officers to continue engaging with these institutions. Leverage their wisdom and influence to build trust within the communities you serve. Together, you form a powerful alliance against the forces that seek to disrupt our peace and security.

“As we look to the future, I am optimistic. The strides we have made in just one year indicate the potential we have to transform the state completely.”

The governor acknowledged the synergy with federal security organisations in the fight against insecurity, as all heads of security operatives were present at the inauguration ceremony in Katsina.