The State Minister of Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, recently announced his readiness to launch a fresh offensive against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in the North-West states of Nigeria. The announcement comes as the country continues to grapple with the challenges of insecurity that are threatening the region.
Matawalle noted that he was in Sokoto to spearhead the initiative, in response to the directives of President Bola Tinubu, who directed the minister and military leaders to travel to Sokoto to root out the criminal groups plaguing the region. The minister said progress had already been made through the efforts of the troops, who have successfully eliminated notorious gang leaders and their accomplices in several locations, thereby restoring a semblance of peace in states such as Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina.
The ongoing Operation Fansan Yamma is a critical component of the fight against these criminals in the North-West of the country. Matawalle expressed confidence in the troops’ ability to sustain these gains and secure the region. He also assured the people of the North-West states of his unwavering commitment to defeating these threats to the security and stability of the region.
The Minister was keen to stress the importance of cooperation between governors, political leaders, religious leaders and stakeholders to support the presidential initiatives and ensure the success of the operations. He called for close collaboration with the Federal Government to achieve the set objectives and put an end to the activities of bandits and terrorists plaguing the region.
In a context where propaganda and disinformation can be additional challenges, Matawalle urged the media and other platforms not to support criminal activities by relaying their actions. He stressed the need for an approach that combines kinetic and non-kinetic methods to effectively neutralize these threats.
In conclusion, Minister Matawalle reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the lives and property of the citizens, while appealing for unity and solidarity from all stakeholders to win this fight against insecurity. As the Federal Government intensifies efforts to eradicate the gang of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists plaguing the region, it is critical that everyone do their part to ensure a peaceful and secure future for all.