FG’ll flush out bandits, terrorists, other criminal gangs from Northwest – Matawalle

The Federal Government will get rid of bandits, terrorists, and other criminal gangs terrorising the Northwest.

The Minister of State Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Matawalle said he was in Sokoto to lead another onslaught against bandits, terrorists, and other criminals in Northwest states.

Supreme News reports that the initiative was part of President Bola Tinubu’s directives on the minister and military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto and ensure flushing all the culprits that terrorise the areas.

”As directed by Mr. President, I am back in Sokoto State tocoordinate thisassignment 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 of his unwavering commitment towards ensuring that operations have achieved all the necessary successes in the fight against all forms of security challenges bedevilling the region.

”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 agenciesto 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 commended Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State for his support of the success of the operations and called on other governors, political leaders, clerics, and stakeholders to support the presidential initiatives.

He underscored the importance of the collaboration with the federal government in the fight in order to achieve the targeted goals.

”We must collaborate together to bring these bandits down through the 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 blackmail or make propaganda or mischief against our operations.

” We will never be distracted in securing lives and properties of our people, ” he added.

He cautioned the media and other platforms against propagating banditry, terrorism and kidnapping activities which he said supported their evils.

The minister said that he will also visit Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi .

”We are calling for support from our governors, religious, political and community leaders toward achieving the desired success on the task ahead,” he said.

NAN reports that President Tinubu, on Aug. 31, ordered Matawalle and other military chiefs to move to Sokoto State to rid the Northwest region of activities of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.

The federal government said the relocation is part of an intensified effort to rid the region of the menace of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

NAN reports that on Sept. 13, the Nigerian Air Force said a notorious terrorist kingpin, Halilu Sububu, alongside 38 others, were killed by its special forces.

One of his audacious attacks was on a military base in Katsina in 2021, where many soldiers were killed.

Although based in Zamfara, Sububu terrorises communities in Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States.

Sububu’s death is coming a few hours after the Nigerian Army announced the death of another terrorist kingpin in Zamfara State, Halilu Buzu.