Minister Seeks Collective Efforts by Northwest Governors Against Banditry

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has solicited the support and collective efforts of the six Northwestern state Governors to combat banditry, kidnapping, and all forms of terrorism in the region.

Matawalle made the plea during an assessment tour of worst hit local government areas of Sokoto State.

The visit was part of the ongoing efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to tackle insecurity in the eastern region of the state.

He charged the Governors of Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Zamfara states to join hands to sustain their support and complement federal government efforts towards restoring peace in the region.

“Security is everyone’s collective responsibility, let’s join hands and confront these criminals.

“We should not politicize the issue of security, because criminals can’t differentiate which political party, religion, or tribe you belong. But our collective effort is the only solution,” he said.

He noted that the ongoing operation is making progress and recorded great successes as recently some bandit leaders have been eliminated.

He assured Nigerians that soon, more leaders of the bandits would either be arrested or eliminated for sustainable peace in the country.

Matawalle further noted that arrangements by the federal government have been concluded to establish an additional three military formations and to also increase the number of troops in the eastern part of Sokoto State.

He tasked members of the communities to always provide intelligence reports to the military and other security operatives to enable them to continue to win the war against these terrorists.

“You have a role to play by providing intelligence reports to military and other security operatives, please do to assist in crushing the criminals for our own benefits.

“And for those of you that act as informants to these criminals, repent now or face the consequences of your actions,” Matawalle warned.

During the tour, the Minister visited some deserted communities and pledged to provide more troops to the places so the people can live a normal life and continue their agricultural activities for sustainable development.

Other activities conducted by the Minister during the tour were interactions with community leaders and stakeholders in the area as well as addressing troops at Military Forward Operation Base in Sabon Birni, and Marnona village in Wurno local government areas of the state.

Also speaking, the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, commended the Nigerian Government’s efforts in the fight against the terrorists.

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his concern and commitment in restoring peace to the state.

He acknowledged the successes recorded by the ongoing operation, saying it was evident in the satisfaction expressed by members of the communities visited by the Minister.

Gobir noted that some roads have been closed for several years due to insecurity, but were opened by the Minister during the visit as a result of the positive impact of the ongoing fight against banditry in the area.

The Deputy Governor reassured of the state government’s continuous support to the military and other security operatives in the state to enable them crush out the criminals bedeviling the region.