The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, has directed the Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs to rid the North-West of terrorists and bandits.
This directive was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Henshaw Ogubike.
The Minister, who expressed sadness over the activities of terrorists and bandits in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States and its environs, directed the service chiefs to move with him to Sokoto, which is the headquarters of the GOC, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States, as part of an intensified effort by the Federal Government to rid the North West of the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
The strategic move, according to him,
underscores the unwavering commitment of the government to restoring peace and security in the region.
He said, while in the North West, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his Bandits gang are flushed out.
“These criminal bandits have been circulating videos of a Nigerian military armoured vehicle that was stuck in a waterlogged area, and late in the night the officers were asked to withdraw to avoid being ambushed by bandits. Later in the night, the bandits went to the waterlogged area, recording video of the armoured vehicle that was stuck and celebrating it.
“This incident happened in Kwashabawa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state. This is not acceptable, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has been giving great support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“The Federal Government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North West, particularly.
“We are ready to deploy all necessary assets to ensure that these criminal elements are flushed out and peace is restored to our communities, Dr. Matawalle stated. We must move against these terrorists to enable our people to move freely.
“The time is up for these bandits and terrorists, as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases,” he said.
Matawalle called on the Armed Forces of Nigeria to flush out the bandits and terrorists, as his presence in the North West would ginger the armed forces.
He assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi states, and the entire North West region that the security forces would not leave any stone unturned until they flush out the bandits.
“I will be on the ground in the North West with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform,” he said.
Matawalle, however, called on the people to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security forces.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians, emphasising that the security and well-being of the people remain the government’s top priority.
