•Katsina Community Watch Corps
Katsina State governor, Malam Dikko Radda yesterday inaugurated 550 recruits in the second batch of the Katsina Community Watch Corps.
This is coming barely over a year after the first batch of the corps was launched on October 10 last year, reports Channels TV.
The governor, praised the role of traditional and religious institutions in the fight against insecurity, calling on the newly commissioned officers to continue engaging with these pillars of the community, leveraging their wisdom and influence to build trust and foster unity.
During the ceremony held at the College of Peace and Disaster Management, Babbar Ruga, Batsari Road, Katsina State, the governor, underscored the role of traditional and religious institutions in the fight against insecurity.
The governor also commended the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment of the new Community Watch Corps members, emphasising their crucial role in securing Katsina’s communities.
“Your courage and sense of responsibility are truly commendable. We are filling a vital gap that requires unwavering dedication, and for that, we are deeply grateful,” the governor stated.
The governor highlighted the strategic shift from a purely kinetic focus to a non-kinetic, collaborative strategy.
He explained that the community-driven approach is not just a strategy, but a vision to empower the people to take ownership of their safety and well-being.
The governor underscored the remarkable successes achieved over the past year, including a significant decrease in crime rates in areas where the Community Watch Corps have been active.
“Communities that were once gripped by fear are now experiencing peace and stability. This is a testament to what we can achieve through united efforts,” he said.
The governor while expressing deepest condolences to the loved ones who have lost their life in the fight against insecurity, urged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect for human rights, serving as ambassadors of the state’s collective aspiration for peace and prosperity.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, highlighted that 550 Community Watch Corps Members were recruited from ten (10) vulnerable LGAs comprising Charanchi, Dutsinma, Kurfi, Musawa, Matazu, Malumfashi, Kafur, Bakori, Funtua, and Danja.
He said that the training program demonstrates Governor Radda’s commitment to fostering peace, economic growth, and prosperity in Katsina State.
The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, representing the State Security Forum, commended Governor Radda for his continued support of security agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities.
In their separate remarks, the Commander of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps Training Institute, ACG Babangida Abdullahi and the Chairman of the Recruitment Committee, Major General Junaidu Bindawa rtd, jointly expressed gratitude for the Governor’s steadfast dedication to combating banditry and other security challenges facing the state.
In particular, General Bindawa detailed that the training curriculum encompassed community policing, intelligence gathering, and combat equipment handling.
One minute silence was observed in honour of the departed soul of the former Chief of the Army Staff and prayers were offered for the departed souls of the Community Watch Corps members and other security agents, who paid the supreme price in the fight against banditry.
