Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has revealed the severe impact of insecurity in eight local government areas of the state.

Radda disclosed this on Monday during the launch of an 18-month European Union–funded initiative on Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience, he listed the affected LGAs as Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Safana, Sabuwa, Faskari and Dandume.

The project is being implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Mercy Corps

Radda said bandit attacks and communal clashes have forced the closure of schools and markets, displaced thousands of residents, and left farmlands abandoned.

“In these communities, children have been kept out of school, parents have buried their children, and elders have fled their ancestral homes. These are unprecedented security and humanitarian challenges,” he said.

He added that drought, desertification, shrinking farmlands and outdated land use practices are worsening the situation, fuelling resource-based conflicts.

According to him, economic stagnation and rising youth unemployment are also contributing factors.

Radda said his administration has adopted dialogue and negotiation to address insecurity, noting that community-led peace agreements have produced results in Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa and Kurfi LGAs, while talks are ongoing in Kankara and Safana.