Senate Deputy President Barau praises deployment of new army battalion and artillery regiment to Kano

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, issued a statement praising the Nigerian Army’s recent deployment of a new infantry battalion and an artillery regiment to Kano State. The 24 Battalion has been established in Tudun Wada, while the 311 Artillery Regiment is based in Dambatta. Barau attributed the move to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to combat banditry, terrorism and other violent crime across the North‑West geopolitical zone, and he also highlighted the roles of Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant‑General Waidi Shaibu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the operation.

Speaking via Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ismail Mudashir, Barau characterized the deployment as a strategic and timely intervention that enhances security across Kano and the broader region. He urged host communities in Tudun Wada, Dambatta and across Kano to cooperate fully with the military, emphasizing the importance of community intelligence and support for the new formations to succeed.

Background

The deployment follows a series of federal and state initiatives aimed at curbing the surge of banditry and other criminal activities in Nigeria’s north‑west. The 24 Battalion and the 311 Artillery Regiment are part of a broader security build‑up announced by the Tinubu administration, which has positioned the President as the Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces. Both sources note that Barau’s statement was issued on 31 October 2026, shortly after the units were formally established. The Senate, according to Barau, will continue to provide legislative backing and funding to ensure the armed forces have the resources needed to address security challenges.

Why it matters

The presence of a full battalion and an artillery regiment in Kano is intended to enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity to respond to banditry and related threats not only in Kano but also in neighbouring states. Barau stressed that effective collaboration between the federal government, state authorities and local communities is essential for the success of the deployment. He warned that without community support—particularly from traditional and local leaders—security agencies would struggle to defeat criminal groups. The statement underscores the political significance of the deployment, linking it to President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” on security and signalling continued legislative commitment from the Senate.

What happens next

Barau called on residents of Tudun Wada, Dambatta and other Kano communities to provide timely and credible intelligence to the military. He also indicated that the Senate will keep supporting measures that strengthen security institutions, though no specific future dates or additional deployments were detailed in the sources. The deployment is positioned as an ongoing effort, with the expectation that the new units will become fully operational and contribute to reducing banditry in the region.