President Bola Tinubu has committed to enhancing security measures in Katsina State by supplying additional military resources, including drones and new security units, to address the ongoing banditry crisis.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda shared this update during an interview with BBC Hausa after leading a delegation of Katsina elders and religious leaders to the Presidential Villa. This visit came in response to a recent deadly assault on worshippers in Mantau community, located in Malumfashi local government area.
Describing the frequent attacks as reaching a critical juncture, Governor Radda emphasized the urgent need for federal intervention to restore peace.
He revealed that President Tinubu assured them of increased support in their fight against insurgency within the state.
“The katsina-security-troop-reinforcement-tinubu/” title=”… Governor and Elders Secure Crucial Troop Reinforcements in High-Stakes Meeting with Tinubu”>president committed to directing security forces to adopt new approaches in combating terrorism and promised to deploy enhanced air capabilities, particularly drones designed for precision strikes on militant camps. He also vowed to receive consistent updates from security officials regarding the progress of these initiatives,” Radda explained.
Additionally, the governor announced plans to establish a new military battalion in the southern region of Katsina, alongside the creation of more police outposts to facilitate mobile patrols and reinforce local security.
Governor Radda noted that even prior to these commitments, the federal government had already bolstered the state’s security presence, which has contributed to a noticeable decline in attacks. “The deployment of soldiers, police, state security personnel, and hunters recruited from Maiduguri has strengthened our counter-banditry efforts. As a result, fatalities have significantly decreased-from mass casualties to isolated incidents,” he stated.
He further highlighted that some days have passed without any reported attacks, marking a meaningful improvement in the security situation.
Radda also pointed to ongoing peace initiatives in parts of Northern Katsina, where community-led dialogues with bandits have temporarily eased tensions.
Communities in Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa, and Safana local government areas have experienced fewer violent incidents due to these efforts.
However, the governor firmly reiterated his administration’s stance against negotiating directly with bandits. “While I do not oppose bandits initiating talks with communities or authorities, I will never personally engage in negotiations or offer financial incentives for peace,” he asserted.
He concluded by stressing that although localized peace has been achieved in some areas, violence has escalated elsewhere in the state, underscoring the necessity of sustained federal assistance to resolve the protracted insecurity.
