Governor Dikko Umar Radda has extended a fresh appeal to bandits operating across Katsina State, urging them to lay down their arms, embrace peace, and take advantage of the government’s reintegration opportunities.

The governor made the call while inaugurating a massive Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Housing Estate constructed under the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, a partnership between the Katsina State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Jibia Local Government Area.

The landmark project comprises 152 housing units for displaced families, a climate peace hub, a veterinary clinic, an entrepreneurship centre, and a 50-kilowatt mini solar grid designed to support sustainable livelihoods and community recovery.

Addressing residents and stakeholders at the event, Governor Radda delivered a passionate message to those involved in banditry and other violent crimes.

“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 on Thursday.

The governor stressed that the opportunities being provided through government interventions could also be available to those willing to abandon criminal activities and choose peace.

“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 declared.

Radda identified poverty, displacement, climate change, and youth unemployment as some of the root causes fueling insecurity, emphasizing that lasting peace requires collective action from all segments of society.

He called on traditional rulers, women, youth groups, and religious leaders to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities and resolving disputes before they escalate into violence.

The governor also congratulated beneficiaries of the housing scheme and announced a grant of N200,000 for each household to support efforts toward rebuilding their lives and strengthening their communities.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Abdulhamid Ahmad, said the housing units were carefully designed to reflect local cultural and architectural traditions.

Each house consists of two bedrooms, a bathroom, a toilet, and a spacious courtyard suitable for rural family life.

According to him, the beneficiaries—comprising 70 women and 82 men—were selected transparently from communities affected by banditry across the eleven wards of Jibia Local Government Area.

In his welcome address, Chairman of Jibia Local Government Council, Sirajo Ado, described the project as a historic milestone for the area.

He commended Governor Radda and the UNDP for bringing hope and relief to victims of insecurity, noting that residents across the council’s eleven wards would directly benefit from the intervention.

UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Elsie Attafuah, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Katsina State’s recovery and development efforts.

She praised the state’s natural beauty and economic potential, describing Katsina as one of the most impressive places she had visited.

“These projects are ultimately about people—families rebuilding their lives, communities recovering from hardship, and creating opportunities for a safer and more prosperous future,” she said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Danmusa, said the state was witnessing significant improvements in security due to Radda’s consistent and strategic policies.

According to him, security challenges have reduced substantially, allowing residents to return to their normal lives.

“Nearly all our markets and roads are open, people have returned to their farms and businesses, and agricultural production witnessed remarkable growth last year. We are optimistic for even greater progress this year,” he stated.

The ceremony, held at the IDPs Mass Housing Estate in Magama, Jibia, attracted high-profile dignitaries, including the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Annette Günther, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Nigeria, Svein Baera, alongside government officials, development partners, and community leaders.

The project is widely seen as a major step toward restoring dignity to displaced families while reinforcing ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability across Katsina State.

Radda identified poverty, displacement, climate change, and youth unemployment as some of the root causes fueling insecurity. (Channels)