September 02, (THEWILL) – Nigerians have continued to applaud the Federal Government’s standing order directing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and top military chiefs to relocate to the headquarters of the General Officer Commanding, GOC, in Sokoto State and coordinate the fight against bandits terrorising Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina States in the North-West geo- political zone.
THEWILL recalls that these states, particularly Zamfara and Sokoto, have witnessed a high incidence of terrorism in recent times. Things got so bad in Zamfara State that the incumbent
Governor Dauda Lawal (PDP) and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle (APC) accused each other of sustaining the lingering banditry in the state, while the recent killing of the abducted Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Bawa, by bandits, after collecting N60 million as ransom, on August 21, 2024, aggravated tension in Sokoto State. Matawalle, who expressed sadness over the activities of the rampaging terrorists, also lauded the Federal Government’s directive, saying, “This strategic move underscores the unwavering commitment of the government to restoring peace and security in the region, while in the North West they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his bandits are flushed out.”
The minister of state condemned a video showing some Nigerian military armoured vehicles stuck in a water-logged area, believed to have been circulated on social media by bandits and described
it as “unacceptable.” He also noted that the Federal Government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North-West and it is ready to deploy all
necessary assets to ensure that these criminal elements are flushed out.
“The time is up for these bandits and terrorists as increased and consistent operations will weaken all their bases,” the minister said, adding, “I will be on the ground in the North-West with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform.”
Matawalle reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians and called on the people of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kebbi States to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security forces. Meanwhile, some citizens of Sokoto and Katsina States have commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the security and safety of lives and properties of the people by ordering an intensive security operation to flush out armed groups operating within
the state.
Speaking with journalists in Sokoto on Sunday, the citizens expressed their appreciation to the government over the move which indicated its commitment and readiness to find a lasting solution to the menace. Malam Garba Mailambu, a trader, described President Tinubu’s directive as evidence of the Federal Government’s renewed effort to rid the North-West of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.
Mailambu said that such a directive was expected during the tenure of the Muhammad Buhari Administration, stressing that a timely deployment of the necessary military personnel and equipment would ensure that criminal elements were flushed out and peace restored to the communities. Dr Habibu Ahmed Mada, a lecturer at the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, described the standing order from the President as a huge relief and great service to humanity following the escalating insecurity in some states of the North-West. Mr Shehu Haruna commended the Federal Government’s efforts and advised Matawalle, as an indigene of the North-West, to intensify the supervision of operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his band of terrorists are flushed out of the region.
Haruna said there was an urgent need to move against the terrorists so that the people can return to their farms and move about freely once again. Yet another citizen, Ibrahim Dandare, expressed sadness over the activities of terrorists in the state and its environs. Dandare said that President Tinubu’s strategic directive has demonstrated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.
Even the opposition appears to be in agreement with the directive. In its reactions on Sunday, the Coalition for Opposition Parties in Katsina State, expressed its support for President Tinubu and Matawalle over what the coalition referred to as their foresight in sending the military to the state for effective coordination and operations against security challenges bedevilling the region.
Also, a three-time Commissioner for Rural Development in Kano State, Alhaji Llyasu Musa Kwankwaso, on Sunday praised the Federal Government over the directive and urged the people of the North-West to “cooperate with the minister of state for defence and military chiefs in their challenging task of eliminating these threats to progress.” This is the second time in the history
of the war against terrorism in Nigeria that a presidential marching order has been issued to the military.
On July 19, 2015, following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive during his inauguration on May 29 of that year, the Military High Command relocated to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital,
for a renewed confrontation against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East. The move had successfully brought the gloomy security situation in the region to a manageable level.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
