President Bola Tinubu has assured the Nigerian Army’s troops of his administration’s full support in crushing armed bandits.
The President stated this on Tuesday in Sokoto while addressing troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at 8 Div Headquarters, Sokoto.
Represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, accompanied by the Chief of Defence State, General Christopher Musa, said the President is very concerned about the country’s security.
He said, “We are here in Sokoto state on the instructions of President Tinubu, who directed the Ministry of Defence with all its artillery to come to Sokoto and review the operations, especially that of Operations Hadarin Daji.
“The President is worried about what is happening in the North West. He called me and the Chief of Defence staff while he was in China to immediately suspend whatever we were doing and come down to Sokoto.
“He said we should come and supervise the operation of our troops currently going on in the North West, under the leadership of Operation Hadarin Daji, to see our troops, to review the operations and to make sure that all their needs are provided so that they can go and fight those criminals.
“Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. Nigeria is a country that the Constitution governs, and you all know Mr President knows the problem of the North. That is why he has appointed his security team from the North, including the Defence Minister and me.
“He gave us this responsibility because he knows our major problem is security.
“The President carefully selected northerners and appointed them into critical positions. Look at me: I am from Zamfara State, and the Chief of Defence is from Kaduna State. The Minister of Defence, Badaru, is from Jigawa state; the National Security Adviser is from Adamawa state, while the Minister of State for Police Affairs is from the north.
“So he carefully selected us because he knows our problem is insecurity. So we are here to flush out those bandits that have been terrorising our region,” he said
The Minister also addressed troops, encouraging them not to be distracted by the recent happening in the state, apparently referring to the killing of four soldiers and the burning of two MRAPs by the Bello Turji’s led bandits.
“Do not be discouraged by the recent incidences. The GOC will be given good support.
“I urge you to keep on doing a good job. We are here to support you to flush out bandits and criminals in this zone,” he said
The Minister also visited wounded soldiers injured in the line of action at the hospital, where he assured them that the federal government was with them in their trying times. After that, he announced a cash donation of N5 million naira to be shared among them.
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