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Security agencies, traditional leaders, government officials and members of the public converged at the News Central Town Hall on Security in Katsina on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to chart practical solutions to the state’s lingering security challenges.
The forum brought together stakeholders from various segments of society, with participants emphasising that defeating banditry requires stronger collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions, government and local communities.
Representing the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police Aminu Gusau commended News Central for convening the dialogue, describing it as a timely platform for constructive engagement.
Gusau said the police have significantly improved their response time to reports of bandit movements and planned attacks, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies. According to him, security has improved across much of Katsina State, although operations remain concentrated in flashpoints such as Musawa, Matazu and Ingawa, where security challenges persist.
Addressing the gathering, the District Head of Waguni, Dikko Ruma, said the fight against insecurity must extend beyond military operations to include rebuilding societal values.
Drawing from his community’s experience with persistent insecurity, Ruma argued that good parenting remains the foundation of a peaceful society.
“Give your children good parenting as it is the foundation of every household,” he said.
The traditional ruler warned that neglecting children’s moral upbringing would create even greater security challenges in the future, urging parents to prioritise proper education and character development.
“If there isn’t a good foundation laid, this is just the beginning; we are yet to see anything,” he cautioned.
Representing the Commander of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General M. Ishaya Ibrahim, Lieutenant Colonel Okorie Obasi assured participants that security forces remain committed to combating banditry.
He noted that both civilians and military personnel have suffered from attacks by armed groups, stressing that Nigerians must collectively regard bandits as enemies of the state.
“The earlier we see them as our enemy, the better,” Obasi said.
He explained that the military acts swiftly when it receives actionable intelligence from communities, emphasising that credible, timely information is essential for successful operations.
Obasi also disclosed that security around schools, farming communities and places of worship has been strengthened to safeguard vulnerable populations.
Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, represented by Mohammed Alhassan, proposed that a communiqué from the town hall be circulated to traditional rulers for additional input before submission to the state government.
He said such a process would ensure that the recommendations emerging from the dialogue are practical, inclusive and capable of informing government policy.
Adding a youthful perspective to the discussion, teenage poet Hassana Cigari lauded News Central for creating a platform where citizens and stakeholders could openly discuss public safety and security concerns.
The News Central Town Hall concluded with a renewed call for intelligence sharing, community participation, responsible parenting and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders as essential pillars in the fight against insecurity in Katsina State.
