KATSINA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu don make promise say him go reclaim ungoverned areas for Nigeria, especially forests for North West, using advanced technology to fight kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. Tinubu talk this message during state dinner wey happen for Government House on Friday night, as him meet with Katsina elders and leaders.
“We go invest plenty for technology and take over the forests,” Tinubu talk, as him respond to issues wey dey plague the region. The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, later release statement wey detail Tinubu’s engagement, titled, ‘We go secure our forests and enhance surveillance for Northwest’.
Nigeria’s Northwest don suffer severe attack from bandits for the past decade. According to UNIDIR survey of 2,947 residents, banditry attacks increase 731 percent between 2018 and 2022, with over 8,300 people don die and 9,527 people don dey abducted from 2019 to Q1 2024. This figure represent 62 percent of all kidnappings wey happen across Nigeria.
For Katsina alone, RouteWatch’s Security Risk Index show say dem record 277 attacks and 684 deaths for June 2024. One dangerous attack wey happen on Layin Gara and Maikuma villages on April 8, 2025, leave six residents dead and carry 59 people go into the bush. These attackers dey launch their operations from Rugu Forest, wey long stretch 220 kilometers and dey contain over 100 armed camps in Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Safana, Batsari, Danmusa, and Jibia LGAs, making it easy for gunmen to escape after military attack.
National Bureau of Statistics confirm say Katsina no attract any foreign investment for the first nine months of 2024, joining 34 other states wey no receive new capital. Kaduna na the only state wey attract investment for the North. Between 2020 and 2024, dem close two factories for Katsina due to insecurity and high operating costs.
At the dinner, Tinubu emphasize say “Investment dey cowardly, e no go where banditry and terrorism dey. We go join hand with the states and local councils to solve this problem. Security na national issue, no be only local or regional matter. If we want genuine investment for Nigeria, we must tackle security.”
He also highlight say Nigeria dey recover economically, attributing recent positive growth to strong policy decisions. The Federal Government go consider upgrading the Katsina airport to create jobs and boost the local economy. Tinubu promise support for victims of terrorism to help dem rebuild their lives.
The President appreciate former Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari, for his role in gaining support from the Northwest, and he thank the governors wey attend the event, including those from Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Sokoto, and Kwara States. He recognize Katsina indigenes’ role in Nigeria and praise former President Muhammadu Buhari, calling him a man of integrity.
Governor Radda also talk about Katsina’s newly established security outfit wey relate intelligence. E project say the proposed airport expansion go create 2,700 direct jobs and cost N54 billion. Former Governor Masari thank the President for appointing ministers and special advisers from the region and say Tinubu get the political will to face the country’s challenges.
Masari advise say insecurity for the North West need holistic approach from the grassroots. Earlier on Friday, President Tinubu visit frontline troops in Katsina, encouraging dem to remain strong, and he promise to provide improved welfare and equipment for the military.
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