Aftermath of violence, Radda’s path to healing

By Fauziyya Lawal, Katsina

Katsina State has found itself grappling with one of the most distressing challenges of banditry confronting many communities. The menace has left behind trails of destruction, displacements and most painfully, victims whose lives were changed forever by bullets, abductions or violent raids on their villages. Yet amid this adversity, the leadership of Governor Dikko Umar Radda is increasingly being recognized for redefining what it means for government to stand by its citizens in moments of trial.

It was an unscheduled move that spoke volumes about leadership with a human face. Governor Radda directed the State Committee on Victims of Banditry to embark on an immediate tour to key health facilities in the state to assess firsthand how survivors of banditry were being treated and carried along in their recovery journey. The visit, which covered the Katsina General Hospital, Orthopedic Hospital, Dutsinma and Funtua General hospitals, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina was not prearranged. It was a surprise inspection meant to ensure that victims were not just listed on records but truly receiving care, attention and concern without distraction or neglect.

The governor’s action once again demonstrated his consistent resolve to give security and humanitarian support the highest priority. Beyond the efforts already being made to confront banditry through military strategies and community policing, he has shown a rare compassion for those who bear the scars of violence. His directive to the committee underscored his belief that the fight against insecurity is incomplete unless the victims are healed, protected and reintegrated into society.

Radda has introduced a policy that places the welfare of victims of banditry at the heart of government responsibility. Medical bills of victims are fully taken care of by the state and financial assistance is made available after recovery to help them return to normal life. This is a major relief for survivors who often face huge costs associated with surgeries, physiotherapy and long term medical care. Many families that once feared they would be crushed under the weight of hospital bills have found solace in the governor’s intervention.

During the unscheduled hospital visits, the committee headed by Yusuf Ibrahim Safana observed not just the treatment being given to patients but also the quality of follow up care. Doctors and nurses in all the hospitals expressed appreciation for the governor’s hands on leadership, noting that his directive ensured that no victim was turned away or left to languish without proper attention. At the Orthopedic Hospital, where cases of broken bones, amputations and gunshot wounds are common, patients were receiving comprehensive treatment without the usual fear of being discharged prematurely for lack of funds. At the Federal Teaching Hospital, where critical surgeries are performed, the governor’s support has guaranteed that resources are available for emergency responses at all times.

For survivors, the governor’s initiative has meant more than medical treatment. It has given them dignity. Many victims admitted that they initially feared they would be abandoned but the surprise inspection by the committee assured them that government is following their cases closely. A mother whose teenage son was shot during an attack in matazu expressed deep gratitude: “The doctors are treating my son well and everything has been paid for by the government. When we heard the committee had come suddenly to check on us, it gave us courage that the governor truly cares for our lives.”

The unscheduled nature of the visit was itself symbolic. It reflected Governor Radda’s insistence on accountability. By avoiding prearranged inspections, he ensured that hospital staff were not putting up a show but were genuinely serving victims as expected. This style of governance leaves no room for complacency. It sends a clear message that the welfare of victims cannot be compromised, not even for a moment.

What is remarkable about this humanitarian initiative is how it blends seamlessly with the governor’s broader security agenda. While working with security agencies to root out banditry, he is also investing in the human side of recovery. By shouldering the costs of care, he is preventing survivors from falling deeper into poverty and despair, conditions that often fuel instability. By giving financial assistance after recovery, he is offering victims a chance to start over, to rebuild their lives and contribute to society again.

This approach reflects a deeper understanding that healing is itself part of security strategy. A farmer who recovers from a gunshot injury with government support is less likely to lose faith in public institutions. A child who receives surgery without his parents selling off their last farmland is more likely to grow up with hope rather than bitterness. These little acts of compassion build trust between citizens and government, which is essential for the larger battle against insecurity.

In the Hospitals, stories of resilience among the victims revealed a young Man recovering from a leg surgery after an attack on his village said he never thought he would walk again. With tears in his eyes, he explained how government support saved his family from financial ruin: “If not for this assistance, we would have sold everything we own and still it wouldn’t have been enough. Now I have a chance to heal and my family still has something to live on.” His story is echoed across the wards, each survivor carrying the scars of violence but also the hope of recovery.

Governor Radda has consistently reminded citizens that security is a collective responsibility. While the government bears the heaviest burden of financing and coordinating responses, he has called on communities to remain vigilant, to share intelligence with security agencies and to resist any form of collaboration with criminal elements. Civil society groups and traditional title holders have been engaged in supporting victims raising awareness about peace. The unscheduled hospital inspections reinforce this collective spirit, reminding everyone that the fight is not only on the battlefield but also in the wards, in the villages and in the homes of those directly affected.

For Katsina State, the challenge of banditry has been both devastating and persistent. Yet, the governor’s efforts are laying the foundation for a new reality. His administration is investing in youth empowerment, education and agricultural development as long term measures to address the root causes of insecurity. But in the immediate term, it is his care for victims that is giving communities renewed hope that the government is not only fighting bandits but also protecting the dignity of its people.

The humanitarian side of Governor Radda’s leadership is what sets him apart. He has redefined the role of government from being a distant authority to being a compassionate partner in times of crisis. The unscheduled visits to hospitals are not just administrative routines; they are living proof of a government that refuses to look away when its citizens are in pain.

For the victims of banditry in Katsina, the care they are receiving is more than medical, it is a reminder that they have not been forgotten. It is a signal that their governor stands by them not just in speeches but in action. It is a restoration of trust, a rekindling of hope and a chance to start life again.

As the state continues its battle to end banditry once and for all, the people now see in their governor not only a fighter against crime but also a compassionate leader who walks with them through the pain of recovery. In times when insecurity seeks to break communities apart, Governor Radda’s humanitarian touch is proving that leadership built on compassion can heal wounds, restore dignity and rebuild faith in a better tomorrow.