Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State says many schools in the state have been shut down as bandits turn them into their dens.

“Many of our frontline local governments have had their schools closed due to banditry, and in some cases, schools have become a den for bandits,” Mr Radda said.

“This is why we have established the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to fight insecurity and create a foundation for our youth to learn and thrive.”

The governor disclosed this at the convocation ceremony of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, held over the weekend.

Mr Radda further said his administration will “focus on total education reform with the establishment of an Education Services Delivery Unit to ensure quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation of our education system.

“My administration has made out-of-school children a main priority, and we will continue to work with all partners to reduce the numbers. We will also work with religious schools to provide academic tools for students in a bid to prepare them for the world ahead.”

Mr Radda’s statements echo former Katsina governor Aminu Masari’s on heightened insecurity as a result of banditry in the state.

On several occasions, Mr Masari charged hapless citizens to rise up in self-defence against bandits.