Katsina State has deployed eight new Armoured Personnel Carriers to boost its fight against banditry, bringing the state’s fleet to 43, the highest in the North-West region.
Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe announced the deployment on Monday after a State Security Council meeting, saying the new vehicles will strengthen ongoing operations in troubled communities.
“This fight is far from over. We will not be distracted by the cowardly actions of these criminals,” Jobe said. “The battle against banditry is not over until it is won.”
The move follows a recent attack in Gidan Mantau, Malumfashi Local Government Area, where armed men raided the community. According to Jobe, local resistance during the attack helped rescue 76 kidnapped victims.
Jobe revealed that over ₦36 billion has been invested in security so far, covering personnel training, equipment purchase, and support for community watch groups and vigilantes. These efforts, he said, have secured four of the eight frontline local governments most affected by banditry.
He added that the Chief of Army Staff is expected to visit the state soon for an on-site security review. “We need stronger support from the Army and Air Force because these criminals take advantage of the difficult terrain,” he said.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasiru Muazu Danmusa, condoled with families affected by recent attacks and urged communities to keep sharing intelligence with security agencies.
The government said the newly deployed APCs will be sent to high-risk areas to improve response times and reinforce ongoing military operations.
