Alhaji Abubakar Yar’adua, a gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State, has promised a new paradigm strategy in tackling insecurity in the state, if elected in 2023.

He pledged to confront the current security challenges facing the state face to face as part of his strategies, if given the mandate.

Yar’adua stated this while declaring his intention to contest for the governorship of the state at the APC Secretariat in Katsina on Tuesday.

He said that people must not only “be secured but must seem to be totally secured”, stressing that he cannot “idly stand-by and watch criminals destroy the state”.

The guber aspirant decried the way and manner bandits and insurgents are “terrorirising, killing and maiming innocent citizens as well as raping women and girls.

“This is criminality of the highest order and unacceptable. I will never take that, that must be stopped,” he said.

Yar’adua said that he would lead the war against insurgents and banditry personally for a change in the state.

“It is left for the criminals to either hand over their weapons to lawful security agencies or about six to seven million residents of the state will mobilise themselves and face them in the in the forest.

“For me, it is better to die fighting in dignity than fold arms and die foolishly and cowardly.

“We will also search and find those living within us that use to assist the bandits with information and logistics in carrying out the evil activities.

“I want you to put it on record, that if I am nominated and susequently elected as governor, I am ready to give my life in the fight against insecurity challenges in the state,” he declared.

Yar’adua also disclosed that he would create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for the teeming youths to reduce restlessness and crime in the state.

NAN reports that Yar’adua is a veteran journalist who served as a reporter up to zonal editor with the defunct Today Newspaper.

He also served as Chief Press to the erstwhile Military Administrator of Katsina State, late Col. John Madaki, and later the civilian governor, Alhaji Saidu Barda.

He later ventured into politics and represented his constituents at the House of Representatives and later elected Senator for Katsina Central Senatorial District.

The guber aspirant also held various positions of responsibilities at the state and federal levels.