Nigeria renews commitments to restore peace, security in North West

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, says the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would continue to do everything possible to rid the North Western States of all forms of banditry and kidnapping.

The Minister made the call when he led Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa and other high ranking military officials on a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmad Aliyu in Sokoto State.

He noted that he and his delegation are in Sokoto on the President’s directives to relocate to the state and ensure security of live and property in the areas.

”We are in Sokoto on President Bola Tinubu’s directives that I along with the military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State in order to rid the North-West of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

 ”The directive is part of an intensified efforts to end all forms of criminalities in recognition of the rising cases bedevilling the areas. 

 ” Safe guarding peoples lives and properties as primary mandate of every government, we are determined to flush all the bandits gangs, modalities were designed to ensure success of the mission,” he said.

Matawalle solicited people to support military operations with credible intelligence information as those nefarious bandits were part of the communities.

”When you identify any suspecious movements or any person without a meaningful source of income is living flamboyant live, you should inform community leaders or nearest authority as the person might be informant of directly engaging on the vices. 

”We should all be community watchers as those bandits, kidnappers and others were living around us and perpetrates their activities within us, ” the Minister added.

He further noted that the terrorists and bandits activities were subjecting to people hardships explaining that the strategic move have underscored the unwavering commitment of government to restoring peace and security in the region adding that the two Defence Ministers, National Security Advisers, Chief of Defense Staff and Ministers of Police Affairs were all from north, and this signifies President Tinubu determination to end the menace in Northern Nigeria.

He further assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states and the entire North West region that the security forces would leave no stone unturned in flushing out the bandits.

“I will be on ground in the North West with the Chief of Defense Staff and other military Chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform.

“I also call on residents of these states to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security forces as the Federal Government has resolved to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians,” he noted.

Earlier, the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, thanked President Tinubu for the committment noting the present operations would surely tackle the menaces and assured all the support to ensure success of the exercise.

The Governor said security is top of his 9-point agenda of his administration, established Community Guard Corps (CGC), provided vehicles and other logistics to complement Federal Government efforts on ensuring security in the country.

The highlights of the activities conducted by the Minister was a closed door meeting with Nigerian Army Officers at 8 Division Headquarters, addressing troops at 26 battalion of Nigeria Army Sokoto where he delivered motivational address and federal government Commitments to support them carryout their constitutional responsibilities effectively.

He also visited wounded Soldiers receiving treatment at Nigerian Army hospital in Giginya barrack Sokoto.

PIAK