Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, called on armed groups in the North-West to lay down their weapons and embrace peace, assuring that government remains open to dialogue, rehabilitation and reintegration for repentant individuals.
He made the appeal in Jibia Local Government Area during the inauguration of 152 housing units for internally displaced persons (IDPs), executed in partnership with the UNDP, the German Government through GIZ, the Norwegian Government and other development partners.
The project, flagged off in October 2024, forms part of Katsina’s recovery drive targeting communities affected by banditry and displacement.
Radda said the government is combining security operations with development interventions aimed at addressing poverty, unemployment, climate stress and weak rural livelihoods, which he identified as drivers of insecurity.
He urged those still engaged in violence to surrender, stressing that opportunities for reintegration and support remain open to those who choose peace.
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Under the scheme, each of the 152 beneficiary families will receive a completed home, alongside relief items including mattresses, blankets, cooking stoves, a bag of rice and a N200,000 cash grant.
The governor said the intervention also includes a Climate Peace Entrepreneurship Centre, solar power installation, market facilities, veterinary services, water supply systems and upgrades to livestock infrastructure, designed to revive local economies and strengthen resilience.
He noted improved security trends in parts of the state, including Jibia, where farming activities have resumed, markets are reopening and communities are gradually returning to normal life.
Radda commended development partners for their support, stressing that sustainable peace requires long-term collaboration between government and stakeholders.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, said the project goes beyond housing, describing it as a step toward restoring dignity, stability and livelihoods for displaced families across the region.