President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an immediate reinforcement of security in Katsina State, following a high-level meeting with Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda and a delegation seeking urgent federal intervention against escalating insecurity in the state.
According to a statement signed by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State, the President directed all security agencies to review their strategies, deploy additional air drones, and authorize troop redeployment along Katsina and neighboring boundary areas to tackle banditry.
“Today, I have directed all the security agencies to energize further, to look at the strategy again. Additional deployment of air drones, and if they have to shift movement in between Katsina and other boundary areas, they should do so. And they are going to give me a feedback by tomorrow,” President Tinubu said during the meeting.
Acknowledging the enormity of the nation’s security challenges, the President said, “What is happening in the country, the security challenges that we have is insurmountable. Yes, we have a very poor border. We inherited the weaknesses which will have been conquered and buried earlier on. But it is a challenge that we have got to face, and we are facing it.”
He assured that ground troops would intensify operations to neutralize criminal elements, adding, “So the ground troops are there. We will still smoke them out.” President Tinubu also hinted at plans to establish state police as part of a comprehensive approach to security. “We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, our places of recreation. They can’t intimidate us,” he stressed.
Governor Radda expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support to Katsina State. “Mr. President has truly shown himself as a son of Katsina. We remain grateful for the continued concern over our security challenges,” the Governor said.
Represented by the Waziri of Katsina, Senator Ibrahim Ida, the Emir of Katsina urged the President to strengthen coordination among security agencies and establish a military battalion and mobile police squadron in southern Katsina.
He disclosed that the state government had invested over N40 billion in security logistics and support for federal agencies despite limited resources, appealing for federal restitution and victim support.
The high-powered delegation to the meeting included Deputy Governor Malam Faruq Lawal Jobe; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; former Governor Aminu Bello Masari; Katsina’s three serving Senators; and members of the House of Representatives representing the state.
Other notable attendees were Engr. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Minister of Works and Housing; Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy; Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination; Jabiru Salisu Tsauri, National Coordinator AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria; members of the Katsina State Executive Council; Emir of Daura, HRH Alhaji Umar Faruq Umar; Malam Yakubu Musa (Sautus Sunnah); Alh. Tukur Jikamshi, former Deputy Governor; Malam Gambo, Chief Imam of Central Mosque Katsina; and business tycoon Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal.