Katsina state government has expanded the coverage area by its local security outfi to across 20 local council areas as it commissioned 100 more officers of the Community Watch Corps, locally referred to as C-Watch. While another 100 are meant to replace those who are no longer with the C-WATCH.
The newly recruited C-WATCH personnels would be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas, with 50 persons assigned to each. Dutsin-Ma, which borders Safana, Danmusa, and Matazu, remains one of the epicentres of banditry in the state.
In a remark during the passing-out ceremony of the 3rd Batch of C-Watch personnels, GovernorDikko Radda reflected on the government’s steady journey toward restoring lasting peace across Katsina State.
“When we launched the Community Watch Corps over two years ago, we were in uncharted territory. The learning curve was steep, and the uncertainty was high. We were a new administration with the arduous task of bringing peace and security to many parts of the state,”.
The Governor added: “The only thing I was certain of was my administration’s determination to bring an end to banditry in Katsina State. I campaigned on it, and the trust of the people was not going to be forsaken.”
Dikko Radda went on reiterating that “have publicly maintained that the government will not negotiate with bandits but will always welcome peace,”.
He went on to explain the ongoing peace deal with Bandits and Kidnappers in the state, “Katsina Model” is a fully community-driven approach, allowing members of affected communities to initiate and negotiate peace pacts with repentant bandits who agree to lay down their arms.
“The role of the state government is to encourage and support the peace process while maintaining law and order in these communities. Our focus is to ensure that communities that enjoy peace also benefit socio-economically, giving our people a dignified existence,” he said.
Governor Radda reaffirmed that kinetic measures by federal security agencies remain vital to Katsina’s overall security architecture.
“This ceremony is proof that the state government will not relent in fighting insecurity and banditry wherever they exist. Those who wish to return to crime will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
He commended the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, and Nigeria Police for their strong collaboration with the state government, noting that synergy with federal agencies has improved intelligence sharing, response times, and coordinated operations.
The Community Watch Corps was launched over two years ago as part of the administration’s broader strategy to combat insecurity through community participation.
Also speaking, Major General Junaidu Bindawa (Rtd), Chairman of the Standing Committee on the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (CWC), said the recruits underwent intensive training in minor tactics, weapon handling, communication, arrests, community policing, rules of engagement, and intelligence gathering. The goal, he said, was to make them disciplined, professional, and community-focused.
General Bindawa emphasized that the trainees were not trained to create problems but to solve them. They are to work closely with other security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, and always operate within the law and in the interest of peace.
