President Tinubu directs deployment of drones, surveillance, and considers state police to tackle bandit attacks and boost security in Katsina State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to immediately deploy sophisticated military hardware, including drones and modern surveillance systems, to Katsina State8.
The move, according to him, is aimed at curbing the persistent attacks on innocent civilians by armed bandits in the region.
The directive was announced during a high-level meeting with a delegation of Katsina leaders, led by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday evening.
Tinubu, while addressing the gathering, emphasised that the Federal Government was determined to protect vulnerable states like Katsina, which have been at the forefront of banditry and insecurity.
According to a statement released by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President underscored the urgency of tackling insecurity across Nigeria.
He disclosed that he had instructed security agencies to submit daily operational reports on developments in Katsina, in order to guarantee constant oversight and swift responses to emerging threats.
Reiterating his administration’s resolve, Tinubu declared: “The security challenges we are facing are surmountable.
“Yes, we have porous borders, and we inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier.
“But we must fix them, and we are already confronting them. I have directed all the security agencies to re-energise and reassess their strategies, while we have also approved the additional acquisition of drones.”
The President further announced that his government was reviewing the possibility of establishing state police, alongside strengthening the recently deployed forest guards.
He criticised individuals politicising the state police proposal, noting that community-based security outfits remain critical, given their familiarity with local terrains and cultures.
“We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, their livelihoods, their places of worship, and their recreational spaces. They cannot intimidate us,” he declared, pledging that security reforms would be pursued holistically.
Beyond security, Tinubu paid glowing tribute to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring that his legacy would be immortalised.
He noted that Buhari left behind a stable political structure and a foundation of success for the nation to build upon.
“The time we lost our brother, President Buhari, is a loss for all of us. It was the will of God Almighty, but he left us in a good way. He did not hand over a defeated country or a battered political system.
“Instead, he left us a legacy of success. We must continue to pray that Almighty Allah grants him Aljannah Firdausi, while we remain steadfast in moving Nigeria forward,” Tinubu remarked.
Governor Radda, in his response, expressed gratitude to the President for prioritising Katsina in terms of appointments, security, and infrastructure development.
He recalled that Katsina was the first state Tinubu visited and spent the night in after assuming office, describing him as “a true son of Katsina State.”
“Mr. President, I would like to thank you very much. I have never come to you with a request that was turned down. We are deeply grateful for your support and recognition of Katsina.
“However, I must again draw your attention to the serious security challenges our people are facing, and also appeal for greater federal backing in youth empowerment and critical infrastructure projects,” the Governor appealed.
Former Governor Aminu Masari, who was also present at the meeting, commended the Tinubu administration for the state funeral accorded to the late President Buhari, describing it as a mark of profound respect.
He pledged that Katsina would remain loyal to Tinubu’s leadership and supportive of his security agenda.
On his part, the Waziri of Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Ida, lauded the President’s commitment to infrastructure projects, particularly the ongoing Kano–Maradi Rail line.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the upgrade of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport to improve regional connectivity.
He also stressed the need for intensified security operations in Southern Katsina to restore peace and protect residents.
