President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will reclaim all ungoverned territories—especially forested areas in the North-West—using advanced technology and heightened surveillance to uproot terrorists, bandits and kidnappers from their hideouts.

Speaking at a state dinner hosted by Katsina elders and leaders on Friday night, Tinubu declared: “We will invest more in technology and take over the forests.”

His comments were contained in a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘We will secure our forests and enhance surveillance in the Northwest, President Tinubu assures in Katsina’.

The North-West region has remained a hotbed of insecurity over the past decade. A recent UNIDIR survey involving 2,947 residents revealed that bandit attacks soared by a staggering 731 per cent between 2018 and 2022. Between 2019 and the first quarter of 2024 alone, no fewer than 8,300 people were killed and 9,527 kidnapped—amounting to 62 per cent of all abductions recorded nationwide.

Katsina State has borne a significant brunt. In June 2024, RouteWatch’s Security Risk Index recorded 277 attacks and 684 deaths. On April 8, 2025, twin attacks on Layin Gara and Maikuma villages left six dead and 59 others abducted into the bush.

The deadly raids, according to security sources, are often launched from the 220-kilometre-long Rugu Forest, where over 100 armed camps sprawl across seven local government areas—Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Safana, Batsari, Danmusa and Jibia. The dense forest serves as a maze of caves and hideouts where armed criminals regroup after military offensives.

The economic toll has been just as severe. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Katsina attracted zero foreign direct investment in the first nine months of 2024, joining 33 other states in that grim category. By contrast, neighbouring Kaduna remained the only northern state to record capital inflow. Katsina also witnessed the closure of two factories between 2020 and 2024, part of a nationwide shutdown of 102 plants blamed on rising insecurity and operating costs.

Tinubu did not mince words about the implications for growth. “Investment is cowardly, and it will not go where there is banditry and terrorism. We will solve the problem together with the states and local councils,” he said.

He emphasised that tackling insecurity is a national imperative: “Security is a national issue, not just at the local or regional levels. If we genuinely need investment in Nigeria, we must address security.”

Responding to concerns earlier raised by former Governor Aminu Masari, Tinubu said, “Yes, I agree that security is a challenge for the country. I addressed the men and women of the armed forces earlier today and assured them that we will do everything to fight terrorism and banditry.”

On a more optimistic note, the President pointed to encouraging signs of economic recovery, which he attributed to recent bold policy reforms. He also pledged to upgrade Katsina’s airport as part of efforts to stimulate local jobs and economic activity.

According to the state governor, Dr Dikko Radda, the planned expansion will include a cargo terminal, customer terminal, and fire truck facilities—expected to generate about 2,700 direct jobs at a projected cost of N54 billion.

Tinubu further promised that victims of terrorism would not be abandoned. “They will receive support to pick up their lives,” he said.

He also used the occasion to express gratitude to Masari for rallying support in the North-West which led to his emergence as the APC presidential candidate.

“I appreciate your efforts and endorsement,” he said, while also thanking governors who honoured Governor Radda’s invitation for project inaugurations and his daughter’s wedding ceremony. These included governors of Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Sokoto and Kwara.

He acknowledged Katsina’s contributions to national leadership and paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as “a man of integrity who contributed significantly to Nigeria’s development.”

“I wish him well,” Tinubu added.

In his remarks, Governor Radda disclosed that Katsina has established a security outfit dedicated to gathering and sharing intelligence in the fight against insecurity.

On his part, Masari thanked the President for appointing two ministers from Katsina to the Federal Executive Council, and for offering strategic roles to indigenes of neighbouring Kaduna, including appointments as special advisers, board chairmen and heads of key agencies like the Nigerian Communications Commission and Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Explaining why he supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition, Masari said: “You have the political will and courage to face the challenges of this country. People resist change. If you’re not strong and determined, you’ll give in—and the problem will persist. Leadership is not about rosy times. The hard way is the best. You know true leaders in tough times. I know and believe you can do it.”

He stressed that insecurity in the North-West must be tackled holistically—“from the bottom up.”