Tinubu Orders Military Reinforcement to Tackle Banditry in Katsina

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigerian Armed Forces to deploy advanced military hardware, including surveillance drones, to Katsina State as part of fresh measures to curb escalating bandit attacks in the region.

The directive followed a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday evening with a delegation of Katsina leaders led by Governor Dikko Radda.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said Tinubu stressed the urgent need to strengthen security in vulnerable areas, beginning with Katsina. The president also hinted at the Federal Government’s readiness to establish state police, while boosting the operations of newly deployed forest guards.

Tinubu criticised attempts to politicise the state police debate, arguing that community-based security outfits were best suited to understand local terrains and cultural dynamics.

“The security challenges we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders and inherited weaknesses, but we must fix them. I have directed all security agencies to re-energise their strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones,” he said.

The president further ordered daily operational reports from Katsina to ensure rapid response to emerging threats.

He pledged that insecurity would be defeated, declaring: “We must protect our children, our people, livelihoods, places of worship and recreational spaces. They cannot intimidate us.”

Tinubu also assured that his administration would immortalise former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as having left behind a legacy of national progress.

Governor Radda expressed gratitude to the president for prioritising Katsina, particularly through federal appointments of indigenes and ongoing infrastructure projects. He appealed for more support in security, youth empowerment and critical infrastructure.

Former Governor Aminu Masari also thanked Tinubu for the state funeral accorded to the late Buhari, while reaffirming Katsina’s loyalty to his administration.

The Waziri of Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Ida, commended Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development, especially the Kano-Maradi rail line, and urged the federal government to upgrade Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport. He also called for heightened security presence in Southern Katsina to safeguard lives and restore peace.