During a recent visit to the Katsina-Zamfara border, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, issued a directive to the 17 Brigade in Katsina to intensify efforts to end the ongoing insecurity in the region.
Asserting the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring stability, Abubakar conveyed that President Bola Tinubu “is ready to supply everything” necessary to eradicate the security threats troubling Katsina State.
Addressing the press at Gurbin Baure, a town on the Katsina–Zamfara States border within Jibia Local Government Area, the minister emphasized that the president is determined to fully support the military’s efforts.
He applauded the progress made by the 17 Brigade in combating banditry, which has destabilized the region for years.
On this occasion, a correspondent in Katsina State, part of the 17 Brigade’s entourage, witnessed the defence minister’s assessment tour.
The minister’s primary objective was to receive in-person briefings and monitor the advancements of Operation Fansar Yamma, the ongoing military campaign against armed bandits in the area.
While addressing the troops, Abubakar conveyed Tinubu’s recognition of their recent accomplishments, stating, “President Tinubu has asked me to thank you and to also encourage you to do more in ending insecurity in these operational areas.” He then posed an emphatic question to the soldiers, “Are you ready to finish them off? Are you ready to end banditry? Soon?”
Speaking with journalists, Abubakar elaborated on the continuous progress achieved, noting that inter-state cooperation is critical to ending the banditry plaguing Nigeria’s North-West region.
“For the last few months, there has been progress every day, and I believe that all the states are cooperating in ending banditry in the North-West. We need a lot of support from the general public,” he emphasized.
During his trip, the defence minister traveled by road to examine troop deployments, particularly along the Zaria-Gusau Road, notorious for frequent kidnappings.
Following enhanced military strategies, he expressed confidence that these deployments would help curb attacks on motorists.
The Gusau-Jibia-Katsina corridor was another security concern highlighted by Abubakar, as it had been a target of frequent bandit ambushes.
“I plied it today, and we agreed on what to do to stop the attacks, which the troops are doing,” he stated, noting his satisfaction with the improvements already in place.
The minister was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Oluyinka Soyele, Commander of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansar Yamma, and was welcomed to the 17 Brigade by Brig. Gen. B.O Omopariola, the Brigade Commander in Katsina.
