Story Written By Nasiru Malali and Edited by Godwin Duru
In response to Presidential directive to the armed forces, the Minister of state for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle , Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs have arrived in Sokoto to assess and evaluate the operations of the Nigerian military in the North West.
Speaking to Newsmen on their arrival at the 8 Division’s Headquarters Sokoto, the Minister of State for Defense Dr. Bello Matawalle said the decision was part Federal Government’s efforts to address the incessant security challenges affecting the North West geopolitical zone.
It could be recalled that President Bola Tinubu directed the Defence Ministry, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs to relocate to Sokoto in a bid to ending insurgency in the zone.
The Minister expressed the president’s determination to flush out bandits and other criminal activities happening in the area.
According to him, all military machineries and fighter jets in the zone would be move to sokoto to ensure total elimination of criminals in the state.
While receiving the minister and his entourage in his office, Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state said the move made by the FG was a welcome development, noting that banditry, kidnapping and other social vices has shortchanged the socio-security and economic development of the North West.
The governor pledged continued support to the military and other security agencies in the state in tackling insecurity.
Radio Nigeria in the state report that the Minister was in company with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Director-General of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye among others.
NASIR MALALI
