Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has sought the support of Sokoto State Government and citizens to flush-out bandits and other criminals terrorising North-West.
Matawalle made the plea when he led the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and other high ranking military officers on a courtesy visit to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, on Tuesday in Sokoto.
”We are in Sokoto on President Bola Tinubu’s directive that I, along with the military chiefs should relocate to Sokoto 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 that bedeviled the area.
”Safeguarding people’s lives and their property are primary mandate of every government. We are determined to flush-out all the bandit gangs from the areas as modalities were designed to ensure success of the mission,” Matawalle assured.
He enjoined the people to support the military operation with credible intelligence that would aid them in their determination to put an end to the nefarious activities of bandits in entire northwest.
”When you identify any suspicious movement or any person without meaningful source of income is living a flamboyant life, you should inform the community leaders or nearest authority.
”We should all be very vigilant, keep an eagle eye on the society because the bandits, kidnappers and other criminals are living within the society and carry out their ugly activities within us, ” the minister said.
According to him, the activities of terrorists and bandits are subjecting the people to untold hardship in Nigeria.
Matawalle observed that two Defense Ministers, National Security Advisers, CDS and Minister of Police affairs were all from Northern Nigeria, saying that it was an indication that President Tinubu was fully determined to end the menace of insecurity in the North.
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 discharging their constitutional mandate.
“I will be on ground in the North-West together with the CDS and other military chiefs to ginger our brave and gallant 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 property of all Nigerians,” he assured.
Earlier, Gov. Aliyu thanked President Tinubu for the commitment and assured the minister and his entourage of all necessary support towards the success of the exercise.
Aliyu said security remained top on the 9-point agenda of his administration, adding that in line with that, he had established Community Guard Corps (CGC) and provided vehicles and other logistics to complement FG’s efforts on security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the the minister held a closed door meeting with the Nigerian Army Officers at 8 Division Headquarters and briefed soldiers and officers at 26 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto. (NAN)