President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that the creation of state police is unavoidable if Nigeria is to effectively confront its worsening security challenges.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 2 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu said the federal government is committed to confronting banditry and other forms of insecurity head-on.
The president directed security agencies to reassess their operations in Katsina, which has witnessed a spike in banditry, and announced that advanced military equipment, drones, and surveillance technology would be deployed. He also revealed plans to enhance the capacity of newly recruited forest guards in the state.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He added: “I have today directed all the security agencies to energise further and review strategies. We have approved the additional acquisition of drones. I am reviewing all aspects of security. I have to create state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, our people, our livelihood, our places of worship, and our recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us.”
The president recalled that in February 2024, the federal government set up a committee to develop a framework for state policing. The initiative has since gained wide support, though Vice-President Kashim Shettima disclosed in March that 20 states were yet to submit their reports.
Tinubu also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring the delegation that his legacy would be preserved.
“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 or a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Governor Radda expressed gratitude for the president’s consistent support, noting that Tinubu had always responded to his requests. Other speakers, including former Governor Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin of Katsina, praised Tinubu for honouring Buhari and investing in infrastructure. Ida, however, urged the federal government to prioritise upgrading Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and intensify security in southern Katsina.
