The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in Abuja, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently establish a military barracks in Katsina State following renewed bandit attacks that left at least 35 people dead across several communities in the Funtua Zone. The lawmakers said the request became necessary due to rising insecurity, repeated killings, and the growing impact of violence on farming and livelihoods in the state.
The call came after Senator Dandutse Mohammed, who represents Katsina South, raised a motion of urgent public importance during plenary. He informed the Senate that bandits had carried out coordinated attacks within 24 hours in Faskari, Bakori, Funtua and Kankara local government areas. He also reported an ambush on Mobile Police officers in Guga, Bako Local Government Area, where three policemen lost their lives and two others were badly injured.
According to the senator, the attacks have forced farmers to abandon over 50,000 farmlands, creating fear among residents and affecting food production in the largely agrarian zone. He reminded the chamber that the Katsina State governor and community leaders from the Funtua Zone had earlier met with President Tinubu, during which the President promised to establish a military barracks in the area. The Senate urged that the promise be carried out without delay.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, allowed the motion after it received broad support from lawmakers. During the debate, senators agreed that military action should be strengthened and warned against negotiating with armed groups, stating that such moves often worsen insecurity.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said the Federal Government had already directed the military to step up operations in Katsina, especially around the Funtua axis. He added that while security forces were making efforts, more troops, better equipment and improved technology were needed to curb the violence.
Other senators, including Mohammed Tahir Monguno from Borno North, noted that insecurity in Katsina was affecting food supply beyond the state, as farmers could no longer access their land. He supported the plan to set up a permanent military presence in the area to restore confidence and stability.
Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West, cautioned strongly against dialogue with bandits, saying it weakens security efforts. He called for better intelligence gathering and cooperation between communities and security agencies to track criminal groups.
At the end of the debate, the Senate resolved to urge President Tinubu to establish a military barracks in the Funtua Zone, direct the Inspector-General of Police to equip the new police squadron in the area with at least three armoured personnel carriers, and mandate relevant agencies to provide relief materials to victims of the attacks. The chamber also observed a one-minute silence in memory of those killed.
In his closing remarks, Akpabio said lawmakers were deeply worried about the security situation across the country. He assured that the National Assembly would support increased funding for the military in the 2026 budget and encouraged the use of modern surveillance tools, such as drones, to secure remote areas. He added that the Senate would follow up with the executive to ensure that the resolutions are implemented.
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