Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, on Thursday night reiterated the federal government’s determination to tackle banditry and insecurity in the country.
He added that Nigerian troops are ready to end banditry and insurgency in the country.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, as part of his official tour of the North-West Zone, the Minister explained that the visit was aimed at finalizing preparations for the launch of Operation ‘Fasan Yamma,’ a joint military theater command established to tackle insecurity in the region.
Abubakar, while speaking to journalists shortly after the visit, said, “the establishment of a Command and Control Centre in the Northwest zone is a crucial step in addressing the menace of banditry.”
He said that the President has charged them to be innovative and find lasting solutions to the security problem, assuring that they are working hard to ensure success.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s collaborative efforts with neighboring countries, particularly Niger Republic, to combat terrorism and arms trafficking, adding that they are working closely with the military, security agencies, and neighboring countries to tackle terrorism, banditry, and arms trafficking.
He said the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, recently visited Sokoto to gather recommendations, and the Chief of Defence Staff met with the Nigerien government to discuss collaborative efforts.
Abubakar explained that regarding the security situation around Sokoto and its borders with Niger Republic, he acknowledged concerns but assured that the government was taking proactive measures to overcome the challenge.
According to him, it is a real concern, but they are not unaware of the situation, stressing that they are working hard to tackle it, as the collaboration with Niger will help combat the movement of terrorists, arms, and ammunition.
In his remarks, while welcoming the Minister, Governor Sani stressed the need for regional collaboration to tackle insecurity, saying that they must establish a Command and Control Centre to coordinate their joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the region.
The governor added that they must also amplify support to their security forces, enhance their localized intelligence systems, stimulate investment in agriculture and agribusiness, expand rural infrastructure, broaden access to education and healthcare, and promote inclusivity among all their citizens.
Sani expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for its commitment to addressing the multidimensional challenges of insecurity confronting the North-West Zone.
He also expressed concern over the debilitating effects of insecurity on the North-West Zone, including food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and increased poverty.
“We are grateful for the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the multidimensional challenges of insecurity confronting the North-West Zone. This initiative is timely and strategic, and we believe it will significantly improve food security, school enrollment, healthcare delivery, and the rural economy in general.
“Insecurity has had a debilitating effect on all facets of life in the North-West. Our zone that was the food basket of Nigeria now faces the challenge of food insecurity. Our people cannot access health facilities. Most of our children are out of school due to the activities of criminals with scant regard for human life and dignity. Poverty has worsened. Fear pervades our zone,” he lamented.
The Governor expressed optimism that the yet-to-be-launched “Operation Fasan Yamma” would create an enabling environment for investments and economic growth in the zone, saying that with the development, there will be significant improvements in food security, school enrollment, access to healthcare delivery services, and the rural economy in general.
He added that it would further create an enabling environment for investments, economic growth, and the revival of infrastructural projects which were stalled due to insecurity.
The Governor also suggested that Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna be reassigned to 1 Division in Kaduna instead of the 3rd Division, Jos in Plateau State, for operational convenience.
He commended progress on setting up Operation Safe Corridor (North-West) and stressed the need for a strong collaborative framework to tackle insecurity, noting that, “We understand and appreciate the need for a strong collaborative framework toward tackling challenges of insecurity. We have nurtured a strong collaborative framework with security agencies, along with streamlined intelligence gathering and strategic coordination of security-related matters in Kaduna State.”
He applauded President Bola Tinubu’s sustained support for the North-West Zone and expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff, and Military High Command for their support.
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s uncommon and sustained support to the North-West Zone. He has shown courage in adversity. We are grateful to him for always listening to us and taking practical steps to actualize our recommendations.”
Our troops are ready to end banditry, insurgency – Defence Minister