…….deploy advanced hardware, surveillance systems
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deploy advanced hardware and surveillance systems in Katsina State to counter rising attacks on civilians by bandits.
The president gave the directive during a meeting with Katsina leaders, led by Governor Dikko Radda, at the State House on Tuesday evening.
A statement by Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said that Tinubu emphasised the urgency of addressing insecurity across Nigeria, starting with vulnerable regions like Katsina.
The president said the Federal Government would consider the operations of a State Police, and further equip recently deployed forest guards.
Tinubu criticised those politicising the state police initiative, stressing the need for community-based security outfits familiar with local terrains and culture.
Onanuga quoted the president as saying: ”The security challenges that we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders.
“We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. It is a challenge that we must fix, and we are facing it.
”I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and look at the strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones.”
Tinubu has also ordered daily operational reports on Katsina to ensure constant oversight and quick responses.
He said: ”I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police. We are looking at that holistically.
”We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, people, livelihood, places of worship, and recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us.”
Tinubu also assured that former President Muhammadu Buhari would be immortalised, citing his legacy as a foundation for national continuity.
He continued: “The time we lost our brother, President Buhari, is a loss for all of us. It is the will of God Almighty, but he has left in a good way.
”He didn’t hand over a defeated country, a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, which is the most important thing.
”We just have to continue praying that Almighty Allah should grant him Aljannah Firdausi and give the rest of us the ability to stand very strong and push Nigeria forward. Not to look back in sorrow but move forward with success.
”It would have been regretful if we had lost the elections to the other parties. There are no other wishes he would have had than to have Katsina State and the Presidency intact.”
Radda thanked Tinubu for prioritising Katsina, including appointments of indigenes to strategic roles and ongoing infrastructure development.
”Mr president, I would like to thank you very much, and I want to say before our elders that I never came to the President with a request that he rejected.
”We thank you, Mr President, for sharing with Katsina. You are a true son of Katsina State. I recall that Katsina was the first state you visited and spent a night in. We thank you for the privilege.
”We are here again, Mr President, I know that you are aware of the problem affecting our state,” he added.
Radda appealed for greater Federal support in security, youths empowerment, and critical infrastructure projects.
The former Governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, expressed appreciation for the state funeral accorded to the late president Buhari, calling it a mark of deep respect.
Masari reaffirmed the loyalty of Katsina to the Tinubu administration and its security vision.
The Waziri of Katsina, Sen. Ibrahim Ida, praised Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure, particularly the Kano-Maradi Rail project.
He also urged for an upgrade of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport to enhance functionality and regional connectivity.
Ida stressed that Southern Katsina required heightened security presence from the Federal Government to further protect lives and restore peace. (NAN)
