The Nigerian Army says its ongoing operations in Katsina State are not only targeting terrorists and kidnappers but also restoring normal life through improved security, healthcare services, education support and farming activities.
Commander of the 17 Brigade, Brigadier General M.I. Ibrahim, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing defence correspondents during an operational tour of the brigade headquarters in Katsina.
According to him, operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA combine both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies aimed at defeating criminal elements while rebuilding public confidence.
“The fight against insecurity is not only about eliminating terrorists. It is equally about restoring normalcy to communities, supporting livelihoods and rebuilding confidence among the people,” Ibrahim said.
He said the brigade had sustained farm protection patrols, allowing thousands of farmers to return safely to their farmlands during the current farming season.
“Our sustained patrols have given farmers the confidence to return to their farms. This will translate into improved food production and enhanced food security for Katsina State,” he added.
The commander also said troops had intensified patrols along major highways through Main Supply Route (MSR) protection operations to safeguard motorists and prevent terrorists from mounting roadblocks or abducting travellers.
He noted that security was strengthened around schools, particularly during the recently concluded WAEC and NECO examinations, with troops providing round-the-clock protection in vulnerable communities.
According to him, the improved security has contributed to increased school enrolment and uninterrupted academic activities.
As part of the Nigerian Army’s civil-military cooperation programme, Ibrahim said the brigade recently renovated and equipped the Natsinta Community Healthcare Centre in Jibia Local Government Area during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
He added that the Army also organised free medical outreach programmes, distributed fertilisers to farmers and provided specialised medical treatment, including an appendectomy for a civilian patient.
The brigade commander said the Brigade Medical Centre in Natsinta continues to provide primary healthcare services to soldiers and residents of surrounding communities and remains accredited under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He disclosed that between January and June 2026, wounded soldiers received treatment at the medical facility, while 13 critically injured personnel were referred to the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for specialised care.
Ibrahim said the Army’s humanitarian interventions had strengthened trust between troops and local communities, leading to improved intelligence gathering and operational successes.
“The cooperation of communities has become one of our greatest strengths. Intelligence supplied by residents has helped us identify terrorist enclaves, rescue kidnapped victims and recover rustled livestock,” he said.
He reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to expanding civil-military initiatives, including medical outreach, school protection and agricultural support programmes, to sustain peace and improve livelihoods across Katsina State.
(The Whistler)