The Katsina State governor, Dikko Radda, has defended the trip of the northern governors to the US, stating that its purpose was to seek lasting solutions to the insecurity afflicting the region.

The governors faced heavy criticism for their recent visit to the US, but Radda clarified that the trip was aimed at addressing security issues in the North and that they were invited to attend the meeting.

He made this known during an appearance on Channels TV Politics Today on Friday.

His words: “Ten governors were in the United States, Washington D.C., and we had a symposium with the United States Institute of Peace so that we can bring about ideas that will end insecurity that is worrying our people and is a major problem to the subnationals, and they carefully chose the governors of the places affected by banditry and kidnapping.

“All of us sat for three days, and we were able to cross-fertilise ideas and interact with all stakeholders that are involved in bringing about lasting peace and security globally.

“The meeting was not at the instance of the selected governors of northern states, but at the instance of the United States Institute of Peace.

“They were the people who invited us; they hosted us for the meeting. We were invited to sit with them so that we could bring about lasting solutions to the problems that are affecting our people,” he said.

He also claimed that banditry and insecurity has become a ‘business venture for some security and government officials. 

His words: “Now it has turned out to be a business venture. A business venture for the criminals, some people who are in government; and some people who are in security outfits, and some people who are responsible for the day-to-day activities of their people.”