Agencies Investigating Allegations Of Banditry Sponsorship –DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has said relevant agencies are investigating allegations of sponsorship of bandits in the North West region of the country.

Director of defence media operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this yesterday while responding to questions at the biweekly update on military operations across the country.

Minister of state for defence and former governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle and his successor, Dauda Lawal, had accused each other of sponsoring bandits in the state.

On Tuesday, Matawalle challenged Lawal to swear on the Holy Qur’an that he was not involved in the sponsorship of bandits.

In response, Lawal vowed to release evidence against the minister, adding that he had also reported the matter to the National Security Adviser.

Buba when asked about the military’s role on the allegations stated that relevant agencies tasked with such responsibility were diligently investigating the matter, though he did not mention names.

He said, “I can assure you that the relevant agencies saddled with that responsibility are doing a good job. And sooner than later, you will hear some announcements in that regard.”
Buba said notwithstanding, the military was focused on winning the war against banditry, and was focused on destroying their fighting will.

He said, “Winning a war is destroying the enemy’s will to fight. When you destroy the enemy’s will to fight, the war is over, you have won the war. And that’s why we are focused on destroying the enemy’s will to fight.”

Speaking on the troops’ achievements between July and September 2024, Buba said 1,937 terrorists were killed among which 65 were notable leaders in the last three months from July to September 2024.