Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has confirmed that his administration is engaging in peace talks with armed bandits in parts of the state.
This development comes after years of public debate on the viability of dialogue as a strategy to tackle insecurity in the North-West.
Peace agreements have been reached in four local government areas, including, Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa and Kurfi.
This medium understand that negotiations are also ongoing in two additional frontline councils to secure similar agreements.
The governor disclosed this while launching an 18-month European Union-funded initiative, Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR), aimed at strengthening peace and socio-economic stability in Katsina and Zamfara states.
Moreover, the insecurity situation in Katsina has led to the closure of schools and markets, abandonment of farmlands, displacement of residents and loss of education and livelihoods.
Governor Radda stressed that the state’s insecurity is compounded by drought, desertification, and shrinking farmland, escalating competition for resources.
He also linked rising unemployment and economic stagnation to the worsening crisis, noting that these issues demand integrated, holistic, and community-driven solutions.
The CPCRR project, implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Centre for Democracy and Development and Mercy Corps, targets over 95,000 residents in Katsina and Zamfara states.
According to the IOM Chief of Mission, Dimanche Sharon, over 1.3 million people, including women and children, have been displaced by conflict in the North-West region as of February 2025.
The project focuses on community-owned, locally-led, and culturally sensitive approaches, ensuring that community voices, especially those of women, youths, and persons with disabilities, are central to planning and implementation.