FG will flush out bandits, terrorists and other criminal gangs from Northwest – Matawalle

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

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

Matawalle said he was in Sokoto to lead a fresh attack against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in the northwestern states.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative was part of President Bola Tinubu’s directives to the minister to move to Sokoto along with the military leadership and ensure that all perpetrators terrorizing the areas are flushed out.

“As directed by Mr. President, I am back in Sokoto State to coordinate this mission of flushing out all bandits and other criminals.

‘We have achieved a certain level of performance. Our troops killed notorious gang leaders and group members in several places. Relative peace has been restored so far, especially in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states.

“I am optimistic that our brave troops will sustain the progress and continue to achieve 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 North-Western States of unwavering commitment to ensure that operations yield all necessary successes in the fight against all forms of security challenges facing the region.

“We will never leave you alone and rest assured that we will win this war against the bandits and those who support them to unleash terror against the people.

The Federal Government will continue to boost the morale of our soldiers and other security forces to end this menace.

“We appreciate the sacrifices and are bravely fighting the insecurity of our teeming army and other security forces,” the minister said.

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

He underlined the importance of cooperation with the federal government in the struggle to achieve the intended objectives.

“We must work together to take down these bandits using kinetic and non-kinetic methods to crush them completely.

We will never be intimidated, give rest or give the criminals breathing space. We must prevent them from moving freely, no matter how they blackmail or propagandize our operations.

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

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

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

“We call for support from our governors, religious, political and community leaders to achieve the desired success in the task ahead,” he said.

NAN reports that President Tinubu on August 31, ordered Matawalle and other military leaders to move to Sokoto State to rid the North West Region of the activities of bandits, kidnappers and terrorists.
The Federal Government said the move is part of an intensified effort to rid the region of the menace of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism.

NAN reports that the Nigerian Air Force said on September 13 that a notorious terrorist leader, Halilu Sububu, had been killed by its special forces along with 38 others.

One of his daring attacks took place on a military base in Katsina in 2021, where many soldiers were killed.

Although based in Zamfara, Sububu terrorizes communities in Sokoto, Niger and Kaduna states.

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