In a bold and unconventional move to combat insecurity, the Katsina State Government has revealed that it is paying monthly allowances to 7,525 clerics to promote peace, discourage violence and strengthen peaceful coexistence in communities affected by banditry and other criminal activities.

The initiative, described as a key component of the state's non-military strategy against insecurity, is part of a broader effort by the administration to complement security operations with community-driven interventions aimed at addressing the social and ideological roots of violence.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu Dan Musa, disclosed the development in an interview, explaining that the government recognized the powerful influence religious leaders wield within local communities and decided to harness that influence in the fight against insecurity.

According to him, the clerics have been mobilised across the state to consistently preach messages of peace, tolerance, unity and harmonious coexistence, particularly in areas that have experienced repeated attacks by bandits.

“We understood the critical role religion plays in shaping attitudes and behaviours within society. That informed our decision to engage clerics and support them with monthly allowances so they can continue preaching peace, tranquillity and peaceful coexistence across our communities,” the commissioner said.

Beyond Guns and Bullets

Mu’azu noted that the state government has deliberately adopted a dual strategy in tackling insecurity, combining kinetic measures such as military and police operations with non-kinetic approaches focused on community engagement, intelligence gathering and social reorientation.

He argued that the security challenges confronting Katsina cannot be solved through force alone, especially given the complex nature of banditry in the region.

According to him, many of those involved in criminal activities are not outsiders but individuals who originate from the same communities they later terrorise, making community participation essential to achieving lasting peace.

This understanding, he said, informed the government's decision to strengthen traditional and community structures capable of influencing local populations and generating valuable grassroots intelligence.

Over 6,600 Ward Heads Also Receiving Stipends

As part of the same strategy, the government has also recruited and placed 6,662 ward heads on monthly stipends to deepen community involvement in security management and improve information flow between residents and security agencies.

The commissioner explained that traditional leaders remain among the closest authorities to local residents and are often the first to detect suspicious movements or emerging threats within their communities.

Their involvement, he said, has significantly strengthened intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms in several parts of the state.

Community Watch Corps Expands Across Katsina

Beyond engaging clerics and traditional leaders, the government has established and expanded the operations of the Community Watch Corps, a local security outfit currently active in 19 local government areas.

The corps works alongside conventional security agencies, providing local knowledge and supporting efforts to monitor vulnerable communities.

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Mu’azu said the administration has also invested in surveillance systems, logistical support for security agencies and other security interventions designed to reinforce ongoing military and police operations.

Signs of Progress Emerging

While acknowledging that insecurity remains a challenge, the commissioner maintained that the combined approach is beginning to produce tangible results.

According to him, between 15 and 16 of the 26 local government areas that were previously among the worst-hit by banditry are now experiencing relative stability and improved security conditions.

He pointed to the reopening of schools and markets in several communities as evidence of the progress made so far.

The return of farmers to their farmlands, he added, is another encouraging sign that confidence is gradually returning to affected areas after years of fear and disruption.

Katsina Maintains Tough Stance on Ransom Payments

The commissioner also reiterated the state government's uncompromising position on ransom payments, declaring that the administration has consistently refused to negotiate financially with criminal groups.

“The government's position has always been clear. We do not pay ransom, we have never paid ransom, and we will not pay ransom,” he said.

According to him, maintaining that stance has prevented the state from inadvertently encouraging further criminality while reinforcing the message that violence should not become a profitable enterprise.

Bandits Beginning to Surrender

Perhaps one of the most striking developments, Mu’azu revealed, is the increasing number of bandits reportedly approaching authorities to voluntarily surrender their weapons and abandon criminal activities.

He described the trend as a positive indication that the combination of military pressure, community engagement, religious sensitisation and grassroots security initiatives is beginning to weaken criminal networks.

For the Katsina State Government, the strategy represents a departure from relying solely on force. Instead, it reflects an emerging belief that defeating insecurity requires winning not only battles on the ground but also hearts and minds within the communities where the conflict has taken root.

As the state continues to refine its approach, officials hope the blend of security operations, traditional leadership, religious influence and community participation will help deliver a more sustainable path to peace in one of Nigeria’s most security-challenged regions.