The Minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, has ordered the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other security chiefs to immediately relocate to Sokoto as base of operation to curb the spread of insecurity in the North-West.
Sokoto is the headquarters of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army that oversees Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi states.
A statement from the Minister’s office on Sunday, September 1, said the relocation was “part of the Federal Government’s focused initiative to eliminate the threats of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the Northwest region,”
According to the statement, the defence chiefs would launch “a significant operation” in Sokoto State aimed at eliminating bandits in the northwest.
The statement reads: “The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has expressed his sadness over the activities of terrorists and Bandits terrorizing Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi States and its environs.
“Consequent to this the Minister of State has directed the Chief of Defence Staff and other military chiefs to move to Sokoto which is the Headquarters of the GOC Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and kebbi states with him as part of an intensified effort by the Federal Government to rid the Northwest of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
“This strategic move underscores the unwavering commitment of the government to restoring peace and security in the region. While in the Northwest, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his Bandits gang are flushed out.”
The statement demised recent bandits’ claims that they had captured military equipment in Kwashabawa, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara State.
It stated: “These criminal Bandits have been circulating videos of a Nigerian military Armoured vehicle that was stuck in a water-logged area and late in the night the officers were asked to withdraw to avoid being ambushed by bandits, later in the night the bandits went to the water-logged area, recording video of the Armoured vehicle that was stuck and celebrating it.”
It said the federal government had deep concerns about persistent terrorism threats and was ready to “deploy all necessary assets to ensure that criminal elements are flushed out and peace is restored to our communities.”
The statement said Matawalle had shown readiness to be on the ground with the security chiefs.
“Matawalle further assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi states, and the entire Northwest region that the security forces will not leave any stone unturned until they flush out the bandits,” the statement said.
