President Bola Tinubu said his administration is committed to reclaiming ungoverned areas, particularly forests, in the North West and across Nigeria, deploying advanced surveillance and technology to combat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.
“We will invest more in technology and take over the forests,” Tinubu said when he addressed the Katsina elders and leaders at a state dinner held at the Government House on Friday night.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed details of Friday’s engagement in a statement he signed Saturday titled ‘We will secure our forests and enhance surveillance in the Northwest, President Tinubu assures in Katsina.’
Nigeria’s Northwest has seen a hail of terror activities in the past decade. A UNIDIR survey of 2,947 residents found that bandit attacks jumped 731 per cent between 2018 and 2022, leaving 8,300 people dead and 9,527 abducted between 2019 and Q1 2024—62 % of all kidnappings nationwide.
In Katsina, RouteWatch’s Security Risk Index recorded 277 attacks and 684 fatalities in June 2024 alone, and a twin assault on Layin Gara and Maikuma villages on April 8, 2025, killed six residents and dragged 59 hostages into the bush.
Those raids are launched from the 220‑km‑long Rugu Forest, where security officials say over 100 armed camps sprawl across Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Safana, Batsari, Danmusa and Jibia LGAs, giving gunmen a maze of caves and thickets in which to regroup whenever the armed forces strike.
The National Bureau of Statistics’ capital‑importation data shows that Katsina drew zero foreign direct investment in the first nine months of 2024, placing it among 34 states that received no new capital, while neighbouring Kaduna was the north’s lone recipient. Tallies show two factory closures in Katsina between 2020 and 2024, part of a wider exodus of 102 plants nationwide blamed on insecurity and rising operating costs.
At Friday’s dinner, Tinubu argued that “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.
“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.
“On the issue of security raised by former governor Aminu 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.”
The President highlighted encouraging signs of Nigeria’s economic recovery, attributing recent positive growth indicators to bold policy decisions.
He said the federal government will consider upgrading the airport in Katsina State to create jobs and expand the economy.
Tinubu also promised that victims of terrorism will receive support to pick up their lives.
He thanked former Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari, for his role in ensuring that he got the endorsement of the North West and emerged as the APC presidential candidate.
The President also thanked the governors who honoured the invitation of the Katsina State Governor, Dr. 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.
He acknowledged the leadership roles of Katsina indigenes in the country and described President Muhammadu Buhari as a man of integrity who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development.
“I wish him well,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Governor Radda said the state had established a security outfit that gathers and supplies intelligence.
He projected that the proposed airport expansion, including the cargo terminal, customer terminal, and fire truck, would create 2,700 direct jobs and cost N54bn.
Meanwhile, Former Governor Masari thanked the President for appointing two ministers from the state to the Federal Executive Council.
Masari 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 and Transmission Company of Nigeria.
On why he supported the President’s ambition to contest the 2023 elections, he said:
“You have the political will and courage to face the challenges of this country. You know the problem with humans: There will be resistance when new changes and a new social order are coming. And if you are not strong enough and determined, you will succumb, and the problem continues.
“But leadership is not about when it is all well. The hard way is the best; you know leaders during hard times. I know and believe you can do it; you have the courage.”
Masari said the insecurity in the North West must be tackled holistically from the bottom up.
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