A delegation of military chiefs on Thursday stormed President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state, Katsina over worsening issues of killings by bandits and kidnappings in the area.

The development follows as the state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, recently visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja to seek his intervention over growing banditry and kidnappings in the North West state.

The military chiefs, led by Maj.-Gen. B.I. Ahanotu, were received by the state Deputy Governor, Manir Yakubu, on behalf of the governor.

Ahanotu told the deputy governor that they were sent by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai.

He said their mission in the state was to come and assess the attacks by bandits in the state, particularly the killings in Batsari and other local government areas.

He added that they were also in the state to commiserate with the government and the people as well as to reiterate the commitment of security agencies to security of lives and property.

Appreciating them for their visit, the state deputy governor regretted that Katsina has become one of the states of mourning in Nigeria due to never-ending attacks by bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.

“When we came to power, we did introduce several initiatives aimed at improving security in the state. But Katsina is not an island, it shares border with neighbouring states. So, the relative peace we often enjoyed is severely jeopardised.

“Certainly, there is a great and urgent need for a quick solution to our predicament and to bring peace to the state.

“Rainy season is here and our people are warming up to go back to the farms,” Yakubu said.

He meanwhile assured the military chiefs of Katsina State’s readiness to give every necessary support and assistance to security personnel to make sure peace is urgently restored in the state.

Katsina, where President Muhammadu Buhari hails from, is one of the North West states where killings by bandits continue to make headlines on daily basis.