President Bola Tinubu and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed
President Bola Tinubu on Friday received a comprehensive security briefing from Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, held on February 27, 2026, focused on the worsening security situation in parts of Bauchi State, particularly Alkaleri Local Government Area, where repeated bandit attacks have displaced residents and claimed several lives.
Governor Mohammed briefed the President on what he described as a resurgence of violent activities in communities such as Gwana, Kafin Duguri, Mansur, Yalau, Futuk, and Digare. He revealed that more than 10,000 heavily armed bandits were believed to have infiltrated forest zones in the area, using them as operational bases for attacks.
According to the governor, the armed groups have been recruiting locals and former illegal miners, launching sporadic raids on villages, and forcing many residents to flee to neighbouring states, including Gombe State.
He also drew attention to recent incidents, including the February 22 attack on a Joint Task Force base in Gwana, which led to the deaths of two soldiers and a vigilante, as well as the abduction of several community members.
Some of the attackers, he said, were neutralised during a police operation.
Mohammed disclosed that he had visited the affected areas on several occasions to assess the situation and encourage residents and local vigilantes who have continued to resist the bandits.
While commending their courage, he stressed the urgent need for stronger federal intervention, including reinforced military and police deployments, improved equipment, and clear operational directives to security agencies.
“The scale of the challenge requires coordinated national action,” the governor reportedly told the President.
Sources close to the meeting said President Tinubu responded positively, assuring the Bauchi governor of the Federal Government’s full support in restoring peace and preventing further attacks.
The governor later confirmed that security chiefs had already received fresh directives aimed at strengthening operations in the troubled communities.
Addressing political speculations surrounding his visit, Mohammed dismissed claims that it was linked to recent defections by some governors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He clarified that his engagement with the President was strictly security-related and reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP.
“I remain in the PDP, even as I recognise that every governor is free to decide his political future,” he said.
The Bauchi governor expressed optimism that with sustained federal backing, security would soon improve across the affected areas, allowing displaced residents to return to their communities.
