Banditry: Senate asks Tinubu to site military barracks in Katsina after fresh killings

The Senate on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in Katsina State, particularly in the Funtua Zone, following fresh bandit attacks that reportedly claimed no fewer than 35 lives within 24 hours across three local government areas.

The development came as lawmakers urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently fulfil his pledge to establish a military barracks in the area, while cautioning against any form of negotiation with armed groups terrorising rural communities.

The matter was raised through a motion of urgent public importance under Order 42, sponsored by Senator Dandutse Mohammed, who represents Katsina South, calling for immediate and comprehensive federal intervention to halt the escalating violence.

Ruling on the motion, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, admitted it for debate after it received overwhelming support from senators.

Moving the motion, Dandutse said Katsina had been thrown into mourning by a renewed wave of coordinated attacks, including an ambush on personnel of the Mobile Police Force in Guga, Bako Local Government Area of Katsina metropolis, where three policemen were killed and two others critically injured.

He further disclosed that as of Tuesday, at least 35 persons had been killed in attacks across the Funtua Zone within a span of less than 24 hours.

According to him, 24 persons were killed in Faskari Local Government Area, eight in Bakori, two in Funtua Local Government Area and one in Kankara Local Government Area.

The lawmaker warned that the persistent violence had forced more than 50,000 farmlands to remain uncultivated, posing a serious threat to food security, agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of residents in the largely agrarian zone.

He said, “The continuous bandit attacks on communities will significantly affect food production and agricultural activities, as more than 50,000 farmlands are presently inaccessible, thereby jeopardising food security and the livelihoods of the people.

“The Governor of Katsina State led a delegation of elders from Funtua Zone, where issues of insecurity were raised, and Mr President pledged to site a military barracks in the area.

“I urge President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies to ensure rapid and sustained intervention until all criminal elements are eliminated. I also urge him to fulfil his pledge to establish a new military barracks in the Funtua Zone.”

Seconding the motion, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said the Federal Government had already directed the military to intensify operations in Katsina, particularly in the Funtua axis.

While commending the armed forces and the Katsina State Government for ongoing efforts, Barau stressed the need for increased troop deployment, advanced technology and more decisive action.

He said, “I am aware that Mr President had instructed the military to be fully engaged in Katsina, particularly around the Funtua axis, to tackle the menace of banditry.

“The military is doing well, and I commend them, but the determination of these bandits shows that we need to do more. We need to add more force, deploy more technology, and deal with this situation decisively.

“I strongly support this motion because of its importance to food security and national stability.”

Contributing, the Senator representing Borno North, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, described the motion as timely and germane, noting that security remained the foremost responsibility of the government.

He warned that the deteriorating situation in Katsina was already undermining national food supply chains and urged full implementation of plans to establish a permanent military formation in the area.

“This clearly shows that this Senate is responsible and responsive to the yearnings of the Nigerian people, especially on matters of security.

This area is an agricultural heartland where large quantities of food and cash crops are produced, but insecurity has displaced farmers and disrupted food production.

“I urge that the directive of Mr President to establish a military formation in the area should be fully implemented as captured in the prayers of this motion,” he stated.

Also contributing, Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) warned against negotiating with bandits, describing such engagements as counterproductive and dangerous.

He emphasised the need for effective intelligence gathering and called on communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information.

“Security is everything. If a society is not secure, it cannot achieve anything meaningful. It is disastrous and unacceptable for any individual or group to negotiate with bandits.

“Negotiating with bandits empowers them on one hand while pretending to fight them on the other. These criminals are indoctrinated and driven by extremism; negotiation does not yield lasting peace.

“We must face them squarely, using intelligence as the first line of action. I strongly advise against negotiating with bandits, as recent experiences have shown that it does not produce the desired peace.”

Following the debate, the Senate resolved to urge President Tinubu to fulfil his pledge to establish a military barracks in the Funtua Zone; direct the Inspector-General of Police to equip the newly established police squadron in the area with at least three Armoured Personnel Carriers; and call on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief to affected families and communities.

The chamber also observed a one-minute silence in honour of those killed in the attacks.

In a related intervention, Senator Titus Zam (Benue North) sympathised with the people of Katsina and noted that while sustained military operations had reduced attacks in parts of Benue State, fresh killings had recently occurred in Kwande Local Government Area.

He urged the military to further intensify operations nationwide.

In his closing remarks, Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the anger and frustration of lawmakers over the continued insecurity across the country, assuring that the National Assembly would prioritise increased funding for the military in the 2026 budget.

He noted that Nigeria’s vast territorial size made it impracticable to station troops in every community, advocating greater deployment of modern surveillance technology, including sophisticated drones, to secure hard-to-reach areas.

Akpabio also warned against collaboration with criminals, stressing that intelligence leaks from within communities often undermine security operations.

He assured senators that the resolutions of the chamber would be followed up with the executive to ensure not only approvals but the timely release of funds, expressing optimism that sustained efforts would eventually bring an end to banditry.

Three months ago, the Senate urged President Tinubu to approve the recruitment of 100,000 additional military personnel to confront rising insurgency and banditry across the country.

The call followed an attack on Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where gunmen reportedly killed a vice-principal and abducted 25 students.

The incident triggered a heated debate during plenary after additional prayers were raised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), further highlighting growing legislative concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

culled from punch