The Nigerian Army is working on finding a lasting solution to the lingering problem of insecurity in Zamfara state in collaboration with the state government and other critical stakeholders.
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja stated this when he received the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal and his entourage on a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The Army Chief said the Nigerian Army and the armed forces of Nigeria have risen up to the challenges in Zamfara to combat the security threats with Operation HADARIN DAJI which had been up and running in Zamfara and environs. General Lagbaja said he is delighted to have good feedback from the people on the ongoing field operations of the military in the state from the state government.
He admitted that Zamfara has its share of ethnic clashes heightened by the issues of the mining sites which is also driving insecurity in Zamfara as well as the activities of some non-state actors that have access to small arms.
“The issue of the amnesty program needs to be looked into as it has given some criminal elements the leverage to regroup and launch attacks on innocent citizens in communities some communities. The Nigerian army is working to synchronise the operations between 2 Division and 8 Division to combat these threats”
“On the issues of combat enablers, you talked about
We will look into getting more combat enablers for our troops to be more effective in operations. We will continue to provide needed support to our troops as we are aware that the epicenter of criminal elements has moved from Maiduguri to Zamfara” stated General Lagbaja.
Speaking earlier, the Zamfara State Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal congratulated the Chief of Army Staff on his appointment and pointed out that the appointment of the security Chief has given Nigerians hope.
Dr. Dauda said Zamfara state as of today is facing serious security challenges and as head of government, he is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property in the state. He, therefore, called on the Chief of Army Staff to assist in bringing peace to the state and to Nigeria as a whole.
“I thank you sir that the troops in Zamfara are doing well to secure the state, however we need much more to secure the state and to compliment the efforts of the present troops especially on the issue of banditry facing Zamfara State”
“It is sad to mention that no day passes without someone being kidnapped or killed in the state, without security there would be no development and without security, there will be no farming, and our children can’t go to school, Sir I appealed to you to consider not just the manpower but the instruments used to combat these crimes”
“My government is ever ready to assist the security agencies in any capacity to combat the banditry that makes life difficult for people in my state,
I also appeal to you to look into how to bring synergy between the security forces within the state, the synergy between the security forces and the civil society to enable the flow of information, if we are able to tackle the security in Zamfara state, the whole of the north will be more secure” stated Dr. Dauda.
The Zamfara state Governor expressed confidence in the team of security Chiefs appointed by President Bola Tinubu and said to whom much is given much is also expected as there is much more work to be done on Nigeria’s security situation.
Dominica Nwabufo
