The re-emergence of banditry and kidnapping for ransom in some parts of Katsina State has been of great concern. The federal government had since 2015 launched several security operations in Katsina State which is one of the frontline states in the ongoing fight against banditry and kidnapping. Experts have argued that with the heavy military presence in the state, the terrorists should have long been defeated and peace restored to the Sahel State.
Banditry in Katsina State was an offshoot of armed robbery and cattle rustling which worsened in 2015 leading to the launch of several military operations to curb the menace, starting from a joint security operation tagged ‘Operation Sharan Daji’ which was carried out across Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states at the early stages of the crisis.
It's now Operations Hadarin Daji, the Kastina state governor visited the Army Headquarters to seek for expansion of this operation in 19 local governments areas that border Niger Republic and forest where these criminals use as their Hideouts and synergy between the NA and the State for more operational effectiveness and proficiency in the state.
The Katsina State Governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda said the visit to the Army Headquarters was aimed at boosting the robust synergy between the NA and the State for more operational effectiveness and proficiency in the state.
He noted that the incessant attacks in the state necessitated the government’s decision to form a well-structured and organised security outfit in consultation and agreement with the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army (NA) and other existing security agencies in the state as well as the indigenous retired senior military officers.
The Governor noted that the State has experienced a series of attacks by bandits and other criminal elements in recent times adding that such unfortunate development has negatively hampered development in the state including farming and other activities. Therefore, he established Community Watch Officers (CWOs) to complement the efforts of the military operations and other security agencies in the State.
He said the move was to facilitate and augment the efforts of the ongoing NA operations in conjunction with other security agencies in the state by providing intelligence gathering and other operational assistance.
He explained that the state is vulnerable to attacks because it has bordered the Republic of Niger adding that about eight frontline local Governments in the state border the forest exposing them to unwarranted attacks, and kidnapping by the non-state actors. He added that unfortunate development has extended into the neighbouring Local Governments such as Faskari, Rimi, Kankara, and Batsari among others.
He called on the NA to expand the activities of Operation HADARIN DAJI across the 19 vulnerable frontline Local Governments to checkmate the activities of bandits and other criminal elements adding that the presence of Nigerian Army operations in the area has prevented the situation from deteriorating.
He commended the responsive efforts of the Commander 1 Brigade NA in fighting the insecurity in the state and congratulated Lt Gen Lagbaja on his well-deserved appointment as the COAS.
The Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja therefore reassured the residents of Kastina State of the Nigerian Army's readiness to expand the activities of Operation HADARIN DAJI across the 19 vulnerable frontlines Local Governments Areas, especially the 8 LGA border Niger Republic, forests to checkmate the activities of bandits and other criminal elements.
The Army Chief gave this assurance today, 18 September, 2023 when the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda led the State government delegation on a courtesy call to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Lt General Lagbaja reassured the governor that his request for the expansion of Operation HADARIN DAJI will be considered, but the Nigerian Army will provide the needed combat enablers to the formation of Nigerian Army NA in Katsina state.
"Expanding our Operation HADARIN DAJI will require the intervention of the FG as they are funding that operation and there is a particular size of troops and the equipment support that is required," he stressed.
The COAS said the Nigerian army NA has also observed the emergence of migration of terrorists from the North-East to the North-West zone adding that the NA was developing an appropriate contingency to combat the threats.
He lauded the governor of Katsina state for suggesting the deployment of cameras to watch over the 8 Frontline local government areas of Katsina state and other areas that border the forest, as this will provide the information and intelligence required by troops to act appropriately to combat security threats.
He also thanked the Katsina Govt who is in the process of procuring the Armour Personnel Carriers (APC) and other combat enablers to enhance the effectiveness of NA formations in the field.
The COAS thanked the Governor for the donation of vehicles, reactivation of OPERATION MESA, the deployment of technology cameras, and provision of welfare support to troops to motivate and boost troops’ morale for effective operations.
He also lauded the efforts of the state government for establishing a well-structured and organized security outfit to complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies operating in the state.
The COAS thanked the people of Katsina state for the excellent working relationship they established with the NA formations and uni demoted in Katina state.
"The position of NA has always been structured wherever there is Civilian arrangement to contribute to combating security challenges in the state and across the country should be properly structured and organized so that it won't become a problem to the communities," he said.
Lt. General Lagbaja who reassured the governor that his request for the expansion of Operation HADARIN DAJI will be considered, but the Nigerian Army will provide the needed combat enablers to the formation of Nigerian Army NA in Katsina state.
"Expanding our Operation HADARIN DAJI will require the intervention of the FG as they are funding that operation and there is a particular size of troops and the equipment support that is required," he stressed.
The COAS said the Nigerian army NA has also observed the emergence of migration of terrorists from the North-East to the North-West zone adding that the NA was developing an appropriate contingency to combat the threats.
He lauded the governor of Katsina state for suggesting the deployment of cameras to watch over the 8 Frontline local government areas of Katsina state and other areas that border the forest, as this will provide the information and intelligence required by troops to act appropriately to combat security threats.
He also thanked the Katsina Govt who is in the process of procuring the Armour Personnel Carriers (APC) and other combat enablers to enhance the effectiveness of NA formations in the field.
The COAS thanked the Governor for the donation of vehicles, reactivation of OPERATION MESA, the deployment of technology cameras, and provision of welfare support to troops to motivate and boost troops’ morale for effective operations.
He also lauded the efforts of the state government for establishing a well-structured and organized security outfit to complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies operating in the state.
The COAS thanked the people of Katsina state for the excellent working relationship they established with the NA formations and uni demoted in Katina state.
"The position of NA has always been structured wherever there is Civilian arrangement to contribute to combating security challenges in the state and across the country should be properly structured and organized so that it won't become a problem to the communities," he said.
