𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀---𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀, 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮.

Katsina State Governor, H.E Dikko Radda, has appealed to bandits and terrorists operating in the state to abandon violence, surrender their weapons, and return to their communities.

The governor made the appeal during the inauguration of an internally displaced persons (IDPs) housing estate in Jibia Local Government Area, a project executed through a partnership between the Katsina State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Addressing those still hiding in the forests, Radda described them as “brothers and sisters” and urged them to embrace peace, repentance, and reintegration.

“To our brothers and sisters in the forests, to those who have taken the path of banditry, kidnapping and violence, hear me clearly today: the doors for dialogue, repentance and reintegration remain open. Lay down your arms and return to your families and communities,” he said.

The governor encouraged them to choose a peaceful future over crime, adding that the state government was ready to receive anyone willing to abandon criminal activities.

“Choose your children over your weapons. Choose prosperity over destruction. Choose life. The government of Katsina State stands ready to receive all sons and daughters who choose the path of peace,” he added.

The appeal comes amid continued security challenges in Katsina and other northern states, with previous dialogue efforts with criminal groups producing mixed results.

Former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari , had earlier expressed regret over failed negotiations with bandits who pledged to surrender and even sworn with Qu'ran but later returned to criminal activities while he was the governor of katsina state in the year 2022.

Meanwhile, other states have continued rehabilitation programmes for repentant insurgents and their families as part of efforts to address insecurity and restore peace.