President Bola Tinubu has assured elders and leaders in Katsina State of his administration’s resolve to eliminate banditry and terrorism in the North West and other parts of Nigeria through the deployment of advanced surveillance technology and the reclamation of ungoverned forest areas.
Speaking at a state dinner on Friday night at the Katsina Government House, Tinubu said the federal government is prioritising security as a national issue and will work closely with state and local governments to defeat criminal elements threatening peace and development.
Addressing concerns raised by former Katsina governor Aminu Bello Masari, Tinubu acknowledged the security challenges facing the country and restated his earlier commitment to armed forces personnel, pledging to do everything possible to defeat terrorism and banditry.
Tinubu said his administration will invest in technology and take control of forests long used as hideouts by criminals.
“On the issue of security raised by former governor Aminu Bello Masari again this evening, yes, I agree that security is a challenge for the country. I addressed the men and women of the armed forces earlier today and assured them that we will do everything to fight terrorism and banditry.
“We will invest more in technology and take over the forests. Security is a national issue, not just at the local or regional levels. If we genuinely need investment in Nigeria, we must address security.
“Investment is cowardly, and it will not go where there is banditry and terrorism. We will solve the problem together with the states and local councils,” he said.
Tinubu further spoke on Nigeria’s gradual economic recovery, attributing positive trends to his administration’s policy decisions.
As part of efforts to boost regional development, he said the federal government is considering upgrading the Katsina airport, which could expand the state’s economy and create jobs.
He also pledged support for victims of terrorism to help them rebuild their lives.
He thanked the governors who honoured the invitation of Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda for the commissioning of projects and his daughter’s wedding.
The governors were those of Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Sokoto, and Kwara States.
In his remarks, Governor Radda said the state had established a security outfit that gathers and supplies intelligence.
He said the proposed airport expansion, including the cargo terminal, customer terminal, and fire truck, would create 2,700 direct jobs and cost ₦54bn.
Masari, on his part, thanked Tinubu for appointing two ministers from the state to the Federal Executive Council.
He also thanked the president for appointing Kaduna indigenes as special advisers, chairmen of boards and heads of regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
