KATSINA — Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has issued a firm declaration on behalf of the North-West region, stating that state leaders will no longer engage in negotiations with bandits. The announcement was made during the commissioning of a ₦12.6 billion road project in Katsina State, signaling a unified and aggressive stance against the insecurity that has long plagued Northern Nigeria.
Governor Aliyu emphasized that the governors of the North-West are now more united than ever in their commitment to eliminating criminality. "We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally," Aliyu affirmed. He noted that substantial resources are currently being channeled into state-led security initiatives to complement the efforts of federal agencies.
The Governor specifically lauded the leadership of Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for pioneering the State Community Guard Corps. Aliyu credited the Katsina model as the inspiration for the establishment of Sokoto’s own Community Guard Corps, describing the initiative as a critical factor in achieving tangible results against banditry.
Addressing the root causes of the violence, Aliyu highlighted the role of local collaboration in facilitating attacks. He urged residents to be vigilant and proactive in exposing informants within their communities. "No bandit attack occurs without some level of local collaboration," he warned, stressing that community-level intelligence is essential for the success of security operations.
The 8.1-kilometre Yandaki–Shinkafi–Kofar Sauri Road, where the declaration was made, is seen as a strategic piece of infrastructure intended to boost economic activity and improve accessibility in areas previously vulnerable to raids. As the North-West APC Governors’ Forum continues to fine-tune its security strategies, Governor Aliyu called on citizens to support the government through prayer and active cooperation with security forces to ensure a permanent end to the menace.
