Abuja, 20 August 2025 – Katsina State Acting Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe, has appealed for stronger military support to tackle the persistent threat of banditry in the state.

Jobe made the call during a side meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, at an International Organization for Migration (IOM) event held in Abuja on Tuesday.

He expressed concern over the continued attacks on rural communities, stressing that banditry has displaced many residents, disrupted farming, and destroyed livelihoods. The Acting Governor said the crisis demands a more coordinated response and stronger synergy between state authorities and the military.

“Our people deserve to live in safety and dignity. We will continue to work hand in hand with the Armed Forces and other security agencies until this menace is defeated,” Jobe said.

In response, General Musa reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to restoring peace in Katsina and across Nigeria. He assured that the military would strengthen its operations in the state and sustain the fight until stability is achieved.

“This is an issue we are determined to overcome. We will continue to do our very best until peace is fully restored,” Musa stated.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the IOM programme, was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon Umar Usman Kadafur, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Deputy Director-General (Operations) of IOM, Ms. Ogechi Daniels, among other dignitaries.