By Daniel Zendesha 

Governor Dikko Umar Radda has renewed calls for bandits operating in Katsina State to abandon violence, surrender their weapons and return to their communities. The appeal came during the inauguration of a 152-unit housing estate for internally displaced persons in Jibia Local Government Area, where the governor also unveiled fresh recovery and reintegration initiatives.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda has appealed to armed groups operating across Katsina State to embrace peace and take advantage of government-backed reintegration opportunities aimed at rebuilding lives and restoring stability in conflict-affected communities.

The governor made the appeal during the inauguration of a 152-unit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Housing Estate in Magama, Jibia Local Government Area.

The project was implemented under the Northwest Prevention Facility Project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It includes residential housing units, a climate peace hub, a veterinary clinic, an entrepreneurship centre and a 50-kilowatt solar mini-grid designed to support livelihoods and long-term recovery.

Addressing residents, government officials and development partners, Radda urged those involved in banditry and kidnapping to abandon criminal activities and return to their families.

“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,” the governor said.

He stressed that the government's interventions were intended not only for victims of insecurity but also for repentant individuals willing to renounce violence and reintegrate into society.

“Choose your children over your weapons. Choose prosperity over destruction. Choose life,” he added.

According to the governor, insecurity in the North-West is being driven by a combination of poverty, displacement, climate-related pressures and youth unemployment. He argued that military operations alone would not provide a lasting solution to the crisis.

Radda called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups and youth associations to strengthen community engagement, intelligence sharing and conflict mediation efforts to help prevent further violence.

As part of the resettlement programme, the governor announced a ₦200,000 grant for each beneficiary household to support economic recovery and reintegration.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Rural and Social Development, Abdulhamid Ahmad, explained that the housing units were designed to reflect local architectural patterns and accommodate rural family structures. Each unit contains two bedrooms, a bathroom, toilet facilities and a courtyard.

He disclosed that 152 beneficiaries—comprising 70 women and 82 men—were selected through what he described as a transparent process involving communities affected by banditry across the 11 wards of Jibia Local Government Area.

Jibia Local Government Chairman, Sirajo Ado, described the initiative as a significant milestone for displaced families, saying it would help restore dignity and hope after years of insecurity.

He commended the Katsina State Government and UNDP for delivering what he called practical support to affected communities.

Also speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, praised the initiative as a people-focused recovery model designed to rebuild livelihoods and strengthen resilience in communities recovering from conflict.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to address insecurity in Katsina and other parts of Nigeria's North-West region through a combination of security operations, community engagement and socio-economic interventions.