The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has made a fresh promise that the government is committed to wiping out bandits, terrorists and all other criminal elements operating in the Northwest.
The Minister made the promise on Wednesday while speaking to newsmen in Sokoto State.
He disclosed that his return to Sokoto State is to coordinate the activities of security forces against the criminals as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
” 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 said.
He assured the people of the Northwest states that the federal government would not leave them alone and also appreciated the gallant efforts of the security forces in wiping out the criminals.
“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 also commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto state for his support and emphasized the need for all stakeholders to work with the federal government in ensuring total success.
“We must collaborate together to bring these bandits down through 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 blackmailed or make propaganda, mischief against our operations.
“We will never be distracted in securing lives and properties of our people,” he added.
Naijaonpoint recalls Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, had, in September, stormed Sokoto State. The decision is in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with newsmen, Matawalle said they were in Sokoto to flush out bandits terrorising the region.