President Bola Tinubu’s government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating bandits, terrorists, and other criminal organizations that are causing distress in the Northwest region of the country.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, conveyed this information during a press briefing in Sokoto on Wednesday.
He stated that his visit to Sokoto was to spearhead a renewed offensive against bandits, terrorists, and other Northwest criminal elements, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructed.
The Minister said: “As directed by Mr President, I am back in Sokoto state to coordinate this assignment of flushing all bandits and other criminals.
“We have recorded some level of achievements. Our troops killed notorious gang leaders and group members in different places. Relative peace has so far been restored specifically in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina State.
“I am optimistic that our gallant troops will sustain the strides and continue to record success through the operation Fansan Yamma, which is ongoing in the fight against these criminals in the Northwest.”
Matawalle assured the people of the Northwest states on unwavering commitment toward ensuring that operations have achieved all the necessary successes in the fight against all forms of security challenges bedevilling the region.
“We will never leave you alone, and be assured that we will win this war against bandits and those supporting them to unleash terror against the people.
“The federal government will continue to boost the morale of our soldiers and other security agencies to bring an end to this menace.
“We appreciate the sacrifices and gallantly fight against insecurity by our teeming military personnel and other security agencies,” the minister said.
Matawalle praised Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State for his contributions to the success of the operations and urged other governors, political leaders, religious leaders, and stakeholders to lend their support to the presidential initiatives.
He emphasized the significance of collaboration with the federal government in the ongoing fight to attain the desired objectives.
“We must collaborate together to bring these bandits down through the use of kinetic and non-kinetic methods to crush them entirely.
“We will never be intimidated, rest or give the criminals breathing space. We must stop them from moving freely no matter how they blackmail or make propaganda mischief against our operations.
” We will never be distracted in securing the lives and properties of our people,” he added.
He cautioned the media and other platforms against propagating banditry, terrorism and kidnapping activities, which he said supported their evils.
The minister said that he would also visit Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
”We are calling for support from our governors, religious, political and community leaders toward achieving the desired success on the task ahead,” he said.
It could be recalled that on August 31, President Tinubu directed Matawalle and other military leaders to relocate to Sokoto State to eliminate the activities of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists in the Northwest region.
The federal government indicated that this relocation is part of a broader initiative aimed at eradicating the threats posed by banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the area.
On September 13, the Nigerian Air Force announced that its special forces had killed a notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Sububu, along with 38 accomplices.
Sububu was known for his bold attacks, including a significant assault on a military base in Katsina in 2021, which resulted in numerous soldier fatalities.
Although he operated primarily from Zamfara, Sububu instilled fear in communities across Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States.
His demise occurred shortly after the Nigerian Army reported the death of another terrorist leader in Zamfara State, Halilu Buzu.
