Determined to reorganise the security architecture of the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, and the Service Chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State as part of efforts to rid the state and the entire north-west of terrorism. In a statement issued in Abuja, the
Determined to reorganise the security architecture of the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, and the Service Chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State as part of efforts to rid the state and the entire north-west of terrorism.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, said the federal government has now directed Alhaji Matawalle, and the military chiefs to move to Sokoto State.
The north-west is arguably Nigeria’s most terrorised region with four of the region’s seven states among the top five states with the highest number of kidnap incidents between July 2023 and June 2024. The north-west is Nigeria’s most terrorised region with Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states recording the highest number of kidnap incidents between July 2023 and June 2024. The situation has deteriorated with many local communities now virtually controlled by armed terrorists who demand taxes from locals.
The directive, according to Mr Ogbunike, is part of an intensified effort to rid the northwest of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. Mr Ogubike said the federal government expressed sadness over the activities of terrorists and bandits in the northwest states, explaining that the strategic move underscored the unwavering commitment of the government to restoring peace and security in the region.
Alhaji Matawalle according to the statement said while in the North-west, they would supervise operations and ensure that notorious terrorist Bello Turji and his gang were flushed out. According to the statement: “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. This incident happened in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area in Zamfara”, he said.
Alhaji Matawalle said: “This is unacceptable as President Bola Tinubu has been giving great support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He said the federal government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North West stressing that:” we are ready to deploy all necessary assets to ensure that these criminal elements are flushed out. Peace is restored to our communities,” Alhaji Matawalle said.
He added that there was an urgent need to move against the terrorists to enable people to move freely. According to him: “the time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases. I believe my presence in the North-west will ginger our armed forces,” the minister was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Minister of State, Defence 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 flushing out the bandits.
His words:” I will be on the ground in the northwest with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave 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 properties of all Nigerians. The security and well-being of the people remain the government’s top priority,” he added.
Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari at the height of insecurity in Borno state ordered military chiefs to relocate to Borno although the military achieved some successes against the terrorists, the Boko Haram insurgency is still on as the terrorists have spread their tentacles to other northern states such as Niger and Kogi.
