President Bola Tinubu has announced that his government will take back control of forests across the North West and other ungoverned areas in Nigeria. He said this would be done using modern technology and advanced surveillance to defeat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. While addressing Katsina elders at a state dinner, he declared, “We will invest more in technology and take over the forests.” The President’s adviser, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this in a statement titled ‘We will secure our forests and enhance surveillance in the Northwest.’
Technology to be used in reclaiming forests from bandits
The North West has been a hotbed of terrorist attacks in the last decade. A UNIDIR report showed that between 2018 and 2022, bandit attacks increased by 731 percent. About 8,300 people were killed and 9,527 were abducted between 2019 and the first quarter of 2024. Most of these attacks, 62 percent, happened in this region. In June 2024 alone, 277 attacks and 684 deaths were recorded in Katsina. On April 8, 2025, six people were killed and 59 others kidnapped in twin attacks on Layin Gara and Maikuma villages. These attacks were launched from the Rugu Forest, which stretches 220 kilometers and covers several local government areas like Sabuwa, Faskari, Dandume, Safana, Batsari, Danmusa, and Jibia. Security officials believe there are more than 100 armed camps hidden in this forest.
Terrorism killing investment and jobs in the North West
The high level of insecurity is scaring away investors. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Katsina received no foreign direct investment in the first nine months of 2024. It was one of 34 Nigerian states that got no new capital. Only Kaduna received investment in the region. Between 2020 and 2024, two factories in Katsina closed down. Across Nigeria, 102 factories shut down during that period. The President noted that “Investment is cowardly, and it will not go where there is banditry and terrorism.” He stressed that the federal, state, and local governments must work together to solve the problem. He added that “Security is a national issue, not just at the local or regional levels.”
Tinubu defends plans, says change needs courage
Responding to a comment from former Governor Aminu Masari, the President admitted that insecurity is a serious national challenge. He said he addressed the armed forces and promised to support them in the battle against terrorism and banditry. He also said Nigeria is seeing signs of economic recovery and promised to upgrade the Katsina airport to help create jobs and boost the economy. Tinubu said victims of terrorism will get help to rebuild their lives.
He thanked Masari for supporting his presidential ambition and praised former President Buhari as a man of integrity. Governor Radda of Katsina said the state has set up a local intelligence outfit and shared plans to expand the airport with cargo and passenger terminals. He said the N54 billion project would create 2,700 jobs. Masari also praised Tinubu for appointing two ministers from the state and described him as a leader with courage. He said, “Leadership is not about when it is all well. The hard way is the best; you know leaders during hard times.”
Insecurity is killing Nigerians and scaring away development
While Tinubu’s promises sound good, Nigerians are dying every day due to insecurity. The North West continues to bleed, yet the government still seems to be talking more than acting. Reclaiming forests with technology is a good idea, but when will it start? And how long before it works? Nigerians are tired of speeches they want results. Terrorists continue to rule the forests, and investments are drying up. Businesses are shutting down, jobs are disappearing, and people are scared to travel. This is the reality.
The President may have promised to take back the forests, but until that promise becomes action, insecurity will keep destroying lives and futures. Words won’t bring back the dead or free the kidnapped. Only action will.
