ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that the creation of state police is inevitable in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, declaring that his administration is committed to deploying new strategies and advanced technology to safeguard lives and property.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit by Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and a delegation of prominent indigenes, Tinubu said the federal government would confront insecurity “head-on” and ensure no part of the country is left vulnerable.
The president directed security agencies to immediately reassess their operations in Katsina — a state plagued by worsening banditry — and announced plans to deploy advanced drones, surveillance technology, and newly recruited forest guards. He also ordered daily updates on security developments in the state.
“The security challenges we are facing are surmountable. Yes, we have porous borders. We inherited weaknesses that could have been addressed earlier. But we must fix it, and we are facing it,” Tinubu stated.
“I have today directed all security agencies to energise further and reassess their 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,” he added.
Tinubu reminded the delegation that in February 2024, the federal government set up a committee to design a framework for state policing — an initiative now enjoying wide support across the country, though 20 states were yet to submit their reports as of March.
“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 vowed.
Paying tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Tinubu said his administration remains committed to preserving Buhari’s legacy.
“The time we lost our brother, President Buhari, is a loss for all of us. But he left in a good way. He didn’t hand over a defeated country, a battered political structure, but a legacy of success, and that is the most important thing,” he said.
Governor Radda thanked Tinubu for his consistent support, saying: “Mr President, there was never a time I came to you with a request that you rejected.”
Other speakers, including former Governor Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Ida, the Wazirin of Katsina, praised Tinubu for honouring Buhari and investing in the state’s infrastructure. Ida, however, urged the federal government to prioritize upgrading the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport and step up security in southern Katsina.
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