Banditry: Governor Bala Mohammed Pledges Sustained Support for Military.

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security operations across the state through sustained logistical support, infrastructure development and closer collaboration with the Nigerian military and other security agencies.

The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace based in Jos, Major General Maxwell Dangana on a courtesy call at Government House, Bauchi.

Mohammed said his administration believes in backing its commitment to security with concrete actions rather than mere promises, stressing that the government will continue to provide the necessary logistics to enhance the operational efficiency and welfare of troops deployed across the state.

“We do not just give verbal support; we match our words with concrete actions. Through our Ministry of Internal Security, we will continue to provide the necessary logistics to our troops. We are committed to improving the operational welfare of our soldiers and other security agencies in the state,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the state government has invested significantly in operational support, including the provision of vehicles and improved infrastructure to enable security personnel to operate under dignified conditions.

He revealed that the Joint Task Force operational base in Mansur, one of the areas most affected by insecurity in the state, is nearing completion.

According to him, the government has also deployed state-of-the-art technology to support security operations while strengthening the roles of traditional rulers and local government officials in intelligence gathering and community policing.

Mohammed noted that because criminals often live among law-abiding citizens and are difficult to identify, community leaders have a critical role to play in supporting security agencies with credible information.

“We have inculcated a greater sense of responsibility among our traditional rulers and local government officials because they understand their communities better and can help identify criminal elements,” he said.

The governor stated that the government’s security interventions have yielded positive results, with communities previously displaced by insecurity returning to their homes and farmlands.

He added that beyond providing operational support, the state has executed infrastructure projects within military barracks, including road construction, to improve the welfare of personnel in appreciation of their sacrifices.

“We have done so much for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, even before being asked. We are prepared to do more because they have given us so much,” he said.

Mohammed also pledged that the state would judiciously utilise the N3 billion security support fund provided by the Federal Government exclusively for peace and security initiatives.

On infrastructure, the governor announced that the Bauchi State Government has awarded the contract for the Duguri-Mansur Road at a cost of about N40 billion, with 30 per cent mobilisation already paid to the contractor.

He explained that work would commence fully after the rainy season, expressing optimism that the project would be completed within the 12-month contract period.

The governor further disclosed plans to construct a deep trench along vulnerable border areas in collaboration with the military as part of efforts to prevent the infiltration of criminal elements into the state.

Commending President Bola Tinubu for expanding the capacity of the Armed Forces, Mohammed called for the establishment and expansion of military formations in strategic locations across Bauchi State, particularly Azare and Alkaleri.

He argued that Alkaleri, which has experienced recurring security challenges, deserves at least a brigade to strengthen security operations in the area.

“I will work with the Nigerian Army to ensure that our institutions provide the necessary infrastructure, including offices and accommodation, to facilitate the establishment of military formations in the areas identified. We want to leave a lasting legacy that will positively impact the security architecture of Bauchi State,” he said.

The governor assured the GOC that the doors of the Bauchi State Government would remain open to the 3 Division, describing the Nigerian Army as a critical development partner rather than merely a security institution.

He also proposed the establishment of a regional security forum involving governors within the jurisdiction of the 3 Division to enhance collaboration on security issues.

“I am extending my hand to my colleague governors within your division. If possible, before you leave, let us arrange a meeting where we can come together with the military and other security agencies to establish a formidable forum for discussing the security challenges affecting the region,” Mohammed said.

He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among governments, the military and other stakeholders would further consolidate peace and prosperity across Bauchi State and the North-East region.

Earlier, the GOC) 3, who as in company with the commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Saidu Shehu and other top military officers in the state, said he was in Bauchi on the courtesy visit as part of his maiden operational tour of formations and units under his command following his assumption of office two weeks ago.

Describing the visit as a homecoming, the GOC who officially took over command from Major General Folusho Oyinlola on July 17, 2026, recalled that Governor Mohammed was once his teacher at Federal Government College, Azare.

He said the tour, which he described as ‘homecoming’ was aimed at assessing operational formations, identifying their challenges, and providing strategic direction for troops.

Major General Dangana commended the governor for his sustained support to the military, particularly in the construction and renovation of military infrastructure, including the ongoing Joint Task Force base in Mansur.

He appealed to the governor to facilitate the construction of the strategic Mansur–Rimi–Duguri road, saying it would improve troop mobility and strengthen security operations in the area.