Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has urged Nigerians to avoid politicising insecurity, stressing that tackling security challenges requires collective responsibility, unity and prayers rather than political interests or personal ambition.
Governor Dikko Radda during the 2026 Yaumul Shukur in Katsina.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has urged residents to refrain from politicising insecurity, intensify prayers for lasting peace and continue supporting security agencies in efforts to restore safety across the state.
Governor Radda made the call on Saturday during the 2026 Yaumul Shukur (Thanksgiving Day), the annual event commemorating the historic 1934 merger of Katsina and the old Zaria Provinces by the colonial administration.
Addressing traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials and residents, the governor described security as a collective responsibility that should never be sacrificed for political interests or personal ambition.
“This is not just a gathering. It is a tradition of gratitude established by our founding fathers. Every August 1, we observe Yaumul Shukur to thank Allah and seek His continued protection over our state,” he said.
Radda described Katsina as a state blessed with exceptional sons and daughters whose contributions have brought honour to Nigeria. He paid tribute to former Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as renowned jurists, including Muhammadu Bello, Mamman Nasir and Umaru Abdullahi, for their enduring legacies of integrity, justice and selfless service.
The governor stressed that while governments come and go, Katsina remains a shared heritage that every citizen has a duty to protect and preserve.
Governor Dikko Radda during the 2026 Yaumul Shukur in Katsina.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, Radda said the state had recruited, trained and equipped the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to complement the efforts of the military and other conventional security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
He also commended the military, the Nigeria Police Force and the Community Watch Corps for recent joint operations which, he said, led to the neutralisation of more than 40 armed bandits, including a notorious kingpin.
The governor cautioned politicians and other stakeholders against exploiting insecurity for political gain, insisting that the sanctity of human life must always take precedence over political ambition.
“No one should use the death of innocent people to chase power. Human life is sacred. Security must come first,” he declared.
Radda further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and residents of the state to continue praying for peace, peaceful elections, unity and sustainable development.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Ishaq Shehu Dabai, and the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Khadi Ahmed Muhammad, said Yaumul Shukur serves as a platform for expressing gratitude to Allah while encouraging continued public support for government initiatives aimed at improving security and the welfare of citizens.
In his remarks, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, urged residents to uphold the enduring values of unity, peace and brotherhood inherited from their forefathers, stressing that preserving those ideals remains essential to the progress and stability of Katsina State.
