The Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, says that troops of the Nigerian Army have restored ‘relative peace’ to the North-West in their battle against bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other criminals.
“We have recorded successes, 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 States,” Mr Matawalle said.
The minister was made this known on Thursday when he led military personnel to reopen the Marnona-Gundumi-Isa road closed eight years ago due to insecurity.
Interacting with members of different communities in Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo local government areas, the minister solicited for the support of “our governors, religious, political and community leaders toward achieving the desired success on the task ahead.”
He also noted that the federal government was planning to establish three military formations in Sokoto to support military operations in the fight against insecurity.
During visits to deserted settlements, the minister called residents to return as the federal government was fully committed to safeguarding their lives and properties.
He warned the residents against acting as informants to bandits, adding that anyone caught aiding and abetting the bandits would be dealt with accordingly.
President Bola Tinubu on August 31, ordered Mr Matawalle and other military chiefs to move to Sokoto state to rid the North-West region of the activities of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
The federal government said the relocation was part of an intensified effort to rid the geopolitical zone of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
(NAN)
