Governor Dikko Radda Reshuffles Cabinet, Appoints Two Special Advisers

Governor Dikko Radda Reshuffles Cabinet, Appoints Two Special Advisers

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved a cabinet reshuffle and the appointment of two new special advisers, according to a statement released on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohamed. Mohamed said the reshuffle, which takes immediate effect, is aimed at repositioning the administration for greater efficiency and improved service delivery across key sectors. Under the new arrangement, Adnan Nahabu becomes Commissioner for Higher, Vocational and Technical Education, while Prof. Ahmad Muhammad Bakori moves from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to head the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development. Yusuf Suleiman Jibia has been appointed Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and Engr. Surajo Yazid Abukur will now oversee the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. The governor also appointed Hadiza Abubakar Yar’adua as Special Adviser on Nutrition and Welfare Services and Isa Muhammad Musa as Special Adviser on Cultural Orientation. Radda urged the new appointees to remain dedicated to the administration’s Building Your Future agenda and to place the welfare of Katsina residents above all else. He expressed confidence that the reshuffle will strengthen coordination, deepen expertise, and accelerate the delivery of key programmes in education, health, agriculture, youth empowerment, and social welfare.

Read More

Activist Mahdi Shehu Raises Alarm Over ‘Victory Parade’ by Armed Bandits in Katsina

Prominent activist Mahdi Shehu has sounded the alarm over what he described as a “victory parade” staged by armed bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, warning that criminal groups now operate with alarming impunity across parts of Northern Nigeria. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Shehu said heavily armed bandits, clad in full combat uniforms, recently gathered in Bakori under the guise of a “peace deal” with a local community they had earlier subdued. He lamented that over the past decade, banditry has claimed countless lives and left hundreds of thousands killed, maimed, raped, or displaced, devastating rural economies and pushing many communities into poverty and fear. According to Shehu, many residents have been forced to submit to the bandits’ authority just to survive, agreeing to their conditions to gain temporary safety, access farmlands, or carry out basic trade in local markets. “The bandits have effectively carved out their own state within a state, where their rules override those of the government,” Shehu wrote. He further warned that similar patterns of control and coercion are now evident in several other parts of Northern Nigeria, where state presence is weak and local populations are left vulnerable. The activist’s revelations have sparked widespread concern online, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the deepening insecurity and the growing influence of non-state armed groups in rural communities. Observers say the situation underscores the urgent need for stronger security operations, community resilience programs, and sustained government intervention to reclaim territories under bandit control.

Read More

Gov Radda Insists Katsina Won’t Negotiate With Bandits, Expands Community Watch Corps

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has reaffirmed that his administration will never negotiate with bandits but remains open to sincere peace efforts that can restore stability across the state. The governor made this known on Wednesday while inaugurating 100 new members of the Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) in Katsina. He said his government’s mission from the start has been to end insecurity and ensure lasting peace for residents. “When we launched the C-Watch initiative about two years ago, it was uncharted territory. But one thing was certain — our determination to end banditry,” Radda said. “Some people claim we are negotiating with bandits, but that is far from the truth. The government will not negotiate with criminals, though we will always welcome genuine peace.” He explained that the Katsina Model focuses on community-led peacebuilding, where affected communities can engage repentant bandits willing to lay down their arms, while the state government provides oversight and support. “Our goal is to make sure communities that experience peace also enjoy development, so our people can live in safety and dignity,” he added. Radda said the approach is already producing results, with Jibia recording eight months without a major attack, and Batsari remaining peaceful for seven months. Other areas such as Danmusa, Safana, Faskari, and Sabuwa have also reported improved security. He emphasized that while dialogue plays a role, security operations by federal forces remain essential to keeping the state safe. “Those who choose to return to crime will face the full weight of the law,” the governor warned. Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, praised Radda’s leadership, saying the community-based model has drastically reduced insecurity in Katsina. He explained that the event marked the third phase of the C-Watch training, following earlier batches in 2023 and 2024, with the new recruits—50 each—set to be deployed to Kankia and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas.

Read More
Bandits Attack Mosque During Isha Prayers in Katsina Kill and Injure Worshippers

Bandits Attack Mosque During Isha Prayers in Katsina Kill and Injure Worshippers

Suspected bandits attacked worshippers during Isha prayers on Thursday night in Matazu town, Katsina State, leaving several people dead and others injured. The gunmen reportedly stormed a mosque while prayers were ongoing, opening fire on those gathered. Security analyst Bakatsine shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), describing the incident as another sign of rising insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest. “Yesterday night, bandits attacked Matazu town in Katsina State, during Isha prayer, killing and injuring worshippers. Government must act urgently because the attacks on worshippers in the northwest region are becoming too frequent,” he wrote. As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Katsina State have not issued an official statement regarding the attack, and the number of casualties has yet to be confirmed. Residents say the area has witnessed repeated raids by armed groups in recent months, with little visible response from security agencies. The attack is part of a troubling trend in which bandits have increasingly targeted rural communities, schools, markets, and now, places of worship. Many in the region are calling for stronger government action and more effective community-based security measures to protect vulnerable populations. Local sources say tension remains high in the area, with some families too afraid to return to the mosque. Emergency response efforts are ongoing, but details remain sketchy as communication in the area is limited. The Matazu incident adds to growing concerns over the ability of authorities to contain the violence in the region, as well as the toll the ongoing insecurity is taking on daily life in northern Nigeria.

Read More
FG Inaugurates Three New Cancer Centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin

FG Inaugurates Three New Cancer Centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin

By Kamal Yalwa : July 26, 2025 The Federal Government has inaugurated three advanced oncology centres in Katsina, Enugu, and Benin, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand access to cancer treatment and address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. The centres, located at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu; and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, were commissioned as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. Speaking at the inauguration ceremonies, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the Tinubu administration is committed to transforming cancer care in Nigeria through “unprecedented investments” in modern treatment facilities and diagnostic capabilities. “These new centres demonstrate the President’s resolve to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases across the country,” Prof. Pate stated. He emphasized that the new facilities would enhance early diagnosis, provide state-of-the-art treatment options, and serve as hubs for training medical professionals in oncology care. Also in attendance were the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who joined Prof. Pate in celebrating the achievement. The new centres form part of a broader strategy to decentralize specialized healthcare services and bring quality cancer treatment closer to communities nationwide. Prof. Pate noted that additional investments would soon follow in diagnostics and clinical workforce development. This development aligns with the Tinubu administration’s health reform agenda, which prioritizes improved access, equity, and quality in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

Read More

Troops Neutralise 21 Terrorists in Katsina

In another daring operation, the gallant troops of Joint Task Force North West Operation Fasan Yama successfully assaulted terrorist enclaves in Ruwan Godiya, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, on 23 May 2025. The troops subdued the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to abandon their base and flee. During the ensuing pursuit, 21 terrorists were neutralized, with some succumbing to drowning in a nearby river. The operation also yielded a significant seizure of large cache of arms and ammunition, including guns, rifles, magazines, explosives, communication devices, mobile phones, and motorcycles.

Read More