President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reclaiming ungoverned spaces—particularly forests in the North-West through the deployment of advanced surveillance technology as part of a renewed push to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Speaking during a state dinner hosted in his honour at the Katsina State Government House, President Tinubu described security as a national priority that must be addressed through collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities.
“Security is a challenge for the country,”; Tinubu said, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. “I addressed 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.”;
He added that economic growth and investor confidence were tied to national security. “If we genuinely need investment in Nigeria, we must address security. Investment is cowardly—it will not go where there is banditry and terrorism. We will solve the problem together,”; he said.
The President also assured that victims of terrorism would receive support from the federal government to help rebuild their lives and communities.
Highlighting signs of economic recovery, Tinubu attributed recent positive trends to his administration’s bold policy choices. He announced that the federal government would consider upgrading the Katsina Airport to stimulate job creation and economic growth in the region.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, in his remarks, revealed that the proposed airport expansion—which will include cargo and passenger terminals, as well as a fire station—is projected to cost N54 billion and create 2,700 direct jobs.
The President’s visit brought together several political heavyweights, with governors from Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Sokoto, and Kwara States in attendance. Tinubu thanked them for honouring the invitation of Governor Radda, who also marked his daughter’s wedding during the occasion.
