By Abbas Bamalli
Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has inaugurated the State Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, Peace and Security Committee in Katsina.
The committee, inaugurated on Tuesday, operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser and is expected to strengthen peacebuilding efforts.
Radda said the initiative followed a national policy framework developed through consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He explained that the consultations were convened by the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the United Kingdom Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme.
According to the governor, the programme forms part of a nationwide strategy promoting peace, security and community-driven interventions.
“This programme has been launched across all six geopolitical zones to ensure sustainable peace and development in Nigeria,” Radda said.
He said Katsina State was selected as one of the pilot states because of its commitment to community engagement.
Radda added that the state had also embraced non-kinetic and peaceful approaches in tackling insecurity.
“Katsina State was selected in recognition of its consistent community-driven security efforts,” the governor stated.
He noted that the national framework required participating states to establish implementation committees for effective coordination.
According to him, the Secretary to the State Government would serve as chairman of the committee.
Other members include the Attorney General and commissioners overseeing internal security, agriculture, youth and sports development.
The Special Adviser on Community Security Watch and the Commandant of the Community Security Watch Corps are also members.
Radda said the Executive Secretary of SEMA and development board officials were included in the committee.
He added that the Chairman of the State Assembly Committee on Security would also participate.
Representatives of the police, traditional institutions, Islamic scholars and civil society organisations were also appointed.
According to the governor, his office, through MISHA, would serve as the committee’s secretariat.
He said the committee would advise government on disarmament, peacebuilding and security coordination matters.
“The committee is mandated to oversee profiling, rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals renouncing violence,” he said.
Radda charged members to discharge their duties with professionalism, dedication and commitment.
Responding, committee chairman Abdullahi Garba-Faskari thanked the governor for the confidence placed in members.
Garba-Faskari praised collaboration involving the National Counter Terrorism Centre, UK-SPRING Programme and DDR experts.
He pledged that the committee would work professionally and faithfully implement its terms of reference.
“Our commitment is to deliver sustainable peace outcomes for Katsina State,” Garba-Faskari said.