The Katsina State Government has deployed 23 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 200 pickup trucks, drones and other security equipment as part of intensified efforts to tackle banditry across the state.
The equipment, which also includes motorcycles, surveillance systems, arms and ammunition, has been provided to conventional security agencies, including the military and police, as well as the state-owned Community Watch Corps, which has about 10,000 personnel.
State officials said the investment was part of a multi-layered security strategy involving equipment, personnel, intelligence gathering and community engagement.
The procurement of much of the equipment is being supervised by the state government through the Government House in Katsina.
The officials said increased coordination with the Nigerian Air Force in surveillance operations had contributed to the identification and destruction of bandit hideouts in forested and rocky areas of the state.
In August 2025, the Nigerian Air Force raided a bandit hideout at Pauwa Hill in Kankara Local Government Area, rescuing 76 people.
The Air Force also destroyed a bandit hideout at Danfako in Faskari Local Government Area in November 2025 under Operation Fansan Yamma.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation followed intelligence obtained through surveillance.
The Air Force also destroyed a logistics hub at Dan-Aji Forest in May 2026.
Meanwhile, officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service have been deployed along major highways across the state to monitor the movement of foreign nationals and share information in real time.
Katsina shares a border with the Niger Republic, making surveillance along major highways and other routes an important aspect of the state’s security operations.
The state government has also classified its 34 local government areas according to the level of insecurity in each area.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu Dan Musa, said the local government areas had been categorised as frontline, vulnerable and crisis-free areas.
He said the classification determines the deployment of security personnel, equipment and other resources, as well as the nature of engagement with communities.
Eight local government areas — Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Dan Musa, Faskari, Sabuwa, Kankara and Sandamu — are classified as frontline areas.
According to the commissioner, bandits are particularly active in the areas, which are characterised by forests and rocky terrain that provide cover and make security operations more difficult.
Another 11 local government areas are classified as vulnerable, while 15 are regarded as crisis-free.
Dr Dan Musa said the state government recognised the community dimension of banditry and had therefore placed community engagement at the centre of its security strategy.
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He said the approach was aimed at improving intelligence gathering, disrupting the supply of logistics to criminal groups and strengthening rapid response to attacks.
The state government has also established structures bringing together traditional rulers, security experts, academics, ulemas and community leaders to contribute to security policy and advisory processes.
The structures include the Security Advisory Committee and Peace Committees established in each local government area.
Officials said the measures were designed to improve coordination between security agencies and communities and strengthen the state’s capacity to prevent and respond to banditry.
