2 months ago
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Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, on Wednesday, paid an operational visit to Katsina State to assess the operational readiness of troops towards addressing the security challenges in the North-West.
While promising the soldiers improved welfare and weapons, he also urged them to remain patriotic.
According to a statement by the acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS, during his visit, met with the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, telling him he was in the state on the instructions of President Bola Tinubu to asses the joint operation areas.
The governor, according to another statement by his media aide, Isah Miqdad, said the state was planning to train more men for the state security outfit, Katsina Community Security Watch, for deployment to 10 local government areas.
“We have been making relentless efforts to address the disturbing security challenges in our state. My administration has established a local security outfit, Katsina Community Security Watch, to complement the efforts of existing security forces. Also, efforts are in progress to train another set that will be deployed to 10 Local Government Areas.
“We have concluded arrangements to train another set of community watch corps to operate in 10 additional local government areas, augmenting the 1,466 personnel already on ground.”
Furthermore, the governor disclosed that he had set in motion a comprehensive community development programme, designed to involve local communities in activities that enhance safety across the state.
“This programme involves a 25-member committee responsible for identifying areas of need and exposing criminals and their accomplices,” the governor said.
The CDS thanked Radda for providing a conducive atmosphere for troops to operate, as well as his commitment to the development of the state.
The CDS called on the people of the state to cooperate fully with the military and other security agencies to be able to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state.
According to him, security is everybody’s responsibility and all must come together to ensure security challenges are addressed.
While addressing troops, the defence chief enjoined them to be more patriotic, committed, and exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
He pledged to improve troops’ welfare and the provision of adequate equipment to arrest insecurity.
Responding, Governor Radda thanked the CDS for coming to the state to assess the security situation with the aim of providing a lasting solution.
Radda assured the CDS of the state government’s continuous support and partnership with the military towards arresting insecurity.
According to him, the government is sensitising people to the need to cooperate with the armed forces and other security agencies.
He said the state would continue to demand more while appealing for an increased security presence in the southern part of Katsina State.
The defence chief used the occasion to visit the Yar’ Adua’s family house to condole with them over the demise of Hajiya Dada Yar’adua, the mother of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
He described her as a committed and humane woman of virtue, adding that the country would miss her contributions to the development of the nation.
