Insecurity: Protest Distracts Military Operation – Presidency Reacts to Katsina Protest

Following the protest by Katsina State residents over the rising insecurity in the state, the Presidency has stated that the armed forces are capable of dealing with the challenge.

According to the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President has approved the joint military and police operation to comb some states and rid it of bandits.

Recall that Katsina residents took to the street to protest over insecurity in the region a day after the Northern Elders Forum called out the President over the rising menace in the State.

“The Presidency assures Nigerians, again, that the nation’s armed forces are fully capable of dealing with the challenges of banditry and terrorism, urging more patience as the military takes appropriate steps to block gaps being exploited to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who has approved a joint military and police operation specifically targeted at combing Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and the Sokoto States to rid the areas of bandits, assures that surveillance will be improved, with more night vision aircraft already deployed under “Operation Accord’’.

The operation was launched three weeks ago.

“Nigeria’s military has displayed its capabilities in the past and will show it again by dealing with the current challenges,” the President says. President Buhari appeals to the people of Katsina State to be patient and supportive of the ongoing military operations in the state while sympathizing with those who are bereaved, injured and lost properties.”

Garba also stated that going to the street to protest could distract military operations and urged the residents to exercise patience.

“President Buhari admonishes that taking to the streets for protest could distract the military operations, urging “Katsina indigenes not to give up on the military who over the years have a strong track record of quelling crises once given enough time.

“The major forests in North-Western Nigeria have been identified as home to the bandits in the region. The operation will clear all these forests,’’ he further said.”