The Defence Headquarters has revealed that it has lost 9 soldiers to the fight against banditry in Zamfara state in the month of June alone.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, made the revelation on Thursday at a press briefing, in response to allegations made against the Armed Forces by the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal.
The governor, during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, attributed the dismal security situation in the state to to the ‘laid-back attitude’ of the police and the military in combating the menace of banditry plaguing the state.
“We, as governors, don’t have control over the military; we don’t have control over the police as well as the civil defence. In most cases, we get frustrated”, Lawal had said.
Buba, in his statement, reiterated that the Armed Forces is a professional force that is subservient to political authority in the state, and rather than “join issues with the governor”, would “choose the path of cooperation over conflict” with him, and look forward to constructively engaging with him on these matters.
In Buba’s words, “these killed in action are a painful testament of our tireless efforts, commitment and sacrifice to restoring peace and security in the state”.
He viewed it as ‘interesting’ that despite the state being the epicentre of kidnapping, as described by the governor, an internal security operation outfit to coordinate activities of security agencies operating in the state, is non-existent, a
situation that leaves much to be desired.
He pushed for an impartial analysis of the allegations against the military for better understanding.
TheFact Daily notes that last week, a number of high profile personalities, including a member of the state House of Assembly, and a former local government Chairman, were arrested by operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command in connection with banditry in the state, as disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan.
“The situation underscores the fact that, winning the war without the support of the people of the state is close to impossible”, Buba said.
