The Federal Government yesterday through the Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, vowed to flush out bandits and other criminal gangs terrorizing northwest in compliance with the President Bola Tinubu's directives to troops of Joint operation Hadarin Daji.
This came as the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa and other top military officials arrived Sokoto yesterday aimed at leading a military onslaught against the bandits and other criminals ravaging the North West region
The minister and his delegation including the Chief of Defence Intelligence, CDI, and other senior military officers, were received on arrival by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 8 Division, Brigadier General I A Ajose, and Force Commander of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarin Daji.
Recall that the Federal Government last Friday directed the military to relocate its command structure to Sokoto State, tackle the increasing banditry activities, asking the CDS to oversee the efforts at bringing an end to the banditry terrorized communities across the North West.
Speaking, after a closed door meeting with operation commanders of joint operation Hadarin Daji at 8 Division headquarters Sokoto, Matawalle, tsaid the ministry of defence would provide all needed support and encouragement to the troops in the war against terrorists in the northwest.
According to him, "We are in Sokoto in compliance with the presidential directives to flush out terrorists and other criminal gangs terrorising North west. I am optimistic the operation will bring an end to Bello Turji and all others that give citizens of the region a sleepless night.
" President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is in China for official engagement called and directed the minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff to relocate to Sokoto headquarters of 8 Division Nigeria Army to flush out criminals terrorizing northwest sub region"
While addressing troops of 8 Division headquarters at Giginya Barracks Sokoto, the minister said, "We are with you and will continue to be with you in the fight against Bandits and other criminals terrorizing the northwest geopolitical region.
"President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is disturbed and concerned about the current issue of insecurity bedeviling Sokoto and other states of the Northwest. Nigeria is not a banana republic, it is a country guided by a constitution, and President Bola Ahamed Tinubu carefully selected us being most of us from the north to execute the onerous task of fighting insecurity"
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At the Government House, during a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of the state, the minister assured the governor and "people of Sokoto State that banditry and other criminalities in the northwest would soon become a thing of the past"
Governor Aliyu while responding to minister's remarks said Sokoto State government would partner the ministry of defence and Nigeria Armed forces in the fight against security challenges in the Northwest.
Earlier in a statement, Personal Assistant on Media to the Minister, Ahmad Dan-wudil said, "Shortly after their arrival, the Minister and his entourage proceeded to the operational headquarters of the 8 Division, where he received a comprehensive briefing from Brigadier General Ajose.
"The briefing detailed the current situation on the ground, the progress of ongoing operations, and the strategic steps being taken to dismantle the criminal networks operating in the region."
Dr. Matawalle commended the Military's efforts so far in the fight against banditry, saying "We are here today to ensure that all efforts are being made to end this menace once and for all.
"Our military has the full backing of the government, and we will do whatever it takes to restore peace and stability to this region," Dr. Matawalle stated.
