Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, recently commended the Nigerian Army for establishing a new battalion and an artillery regiment in Kano State, describing the initiative as a decisive boost to the ongoing fight against banditry and violent crime in the North-west.
The freshly deployed military units include the 24 Battalion stationed in Tudun Wada and the 311 Artillery Regiment situated in Dambatta.
Speaking through a media statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau noted that the deployment reflects the strong political will of President Bola Tinubu to safeguard lives and property throughout the nation.
He further commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his progressive leadership in restructuring the armed forces to effectively counter contemporary security threats.
How do these new formations enhance regional security?
According to the lawmaker, the positioning of the two military installations significantly upgrades the operational readiness of the military within Kano and its contiguous states. Barau emphasized that this strategic action aligns directly with the federal administration's security objectives under the broader national development blueprint.
In addition, Barau acknowledged the efforts of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, highlighting that ongoing synergy between the state government and security forces is vital for the success of the new military outposts.
What role are local communities expected to play?
Addressing residents in Tudun Wada, Dambatta, and other parts of the state, Barau called for maximum cooperation and mutual understanding between civilians and the armed forces to ensure smooth operations.
He urged traditional rulers, local leaders, and citizens to foster stronger ties with security personnel by sharing credible and timely intelligence regarding criminal elements operating within their neighborhoods.
“The fight against banditry and other forms of criminality is a collective one. I urge all our traditional leaders, community leaders and residents to cooperate fully with the military, share timely intelligence and support these newly established formations to succeed,” Barau stated.
He reiterated the readiness of the National Assembly to provide robust legislative support and appropriate budgetary allocations to strengthen the capacity of the nation's defense apparatus against terrorism and allied security challenges.