The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has paid a visit to Katsina State to assess the operational readiness of troops towards addressing the security challenges in the North-West.

This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Wednesday in Abuja.

During a visit to the state governor, Dikko Radda, Mr Musa said he was in the state on the directive of President Bola Tinubu to assess the joint operation areas.

He thanked the governor for providing a conducive atmosphere for troops to operate and his commitment to the development of the state.

The CDS called on the people of the state to cooperate fully with the military and other security agencies to be able to tackle the menace of insecurity in the state.

According to him, security is everybody’s responsibility and everyone must come together to tackle security challenges.

Addressing the troops, the defence chief enjoined them to be more patriotic, committed, and exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

He pledged improved troops welfare and the provision of adequate equipment to arrest insecurity.

Responding, Mr Radda thanked the CDS for coming to the state to assess the security situation with the aim of providing a lasting solution.

Mr Radda assured the CDS of the government’s continuous support and partnership with the military towards arresting insecurity.

According to him, the government is sensitising the people to the need to cooperate with armed forces and other security agencies.

He said the state would continue to demand more and appealed for increased security presence in the southern part of Katsina State.

The defence chief used the occasion to visit Yar’Adua’s family house to condole with them over the demise of Dada Yar’adua, the mother of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He described her as a committed and humane woman of virtue, adding that the country would miss her contributions to the development of the nation.

The CDS prayed for the repose of her soul and called on the family to embrace and improve on her legacies.

(NAN)