Military commanders asked to relocate to Sokoto as bandits seize armoured personnel carrier

MINISTER of state for defence Dr Bello Matawalle has urged senior military commanders of the Nigerian Army to relocate their offices to Sokoto to enable them effectively combat the growing menace of armed banditry across northwestern Nigeria.

Over the weekend, a group of heavily armed bandits engaged the Nigerian Army in a fierce firefight that lasted for hours in Zamfara State. It led to the troops abandoning an armoured personnel carrier that had got stuck in the mud and the bandits later published a video of them capturing it, celebrating as they did so.

Responding to the attack, Dr Matawalle condemned the situation where criminal bandits circulated videos of the vehicle, which  was left behind after officers were ordered to withdraw to avoid an ambush. This incident occurred in Kwashabawa, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Following the development, Dr Matawalle directed the chief of defence staff and other military leaders to relocate to Sokoto, as part of an intensified effort to eliminate banditry, kidnapping and terrorism across the north west. He emphasised that the continued circulation of videos is unacceptable, especially given the support President Bola Tinubu has provided to the armed forces.                                                                                        

Dr Matawalle said: “This strategic move underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region. While in the north west, they will supervise operations and ensure that Bello Turji and his bandit gang are eliminated.”

He added that the military is ready to deploy all necessary assets to ensure that these criminal elements are flushed out and peace is restored to the communities. Dr Matawalle further assured the people of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states and the entire northwest geo-political zone that the security forces would leave no stone unturned in flushing out the bandits.