As part of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security in the North-West, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle has embarked on an extensive security assessment tour of communities in Sokoto state.
The tour which took place on Thursday, 10th October 2024 was part of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to address the ongoing insecurity plaguing the region.
According to the minister’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, at Gundumi village, the Minister addressed the community regarding the long-standing closure of the Gundumi-Isa road due to insecurity.
He assured the residents that the road would be reopened without delay and that a military camp would be established along the route to enhance security and facilitate the resumption of normal economic activities.
“The President is fully committed to ending insecurity in Northern Nigeria, and we are here to ensure that no stone is left unturned,” he said.
Following the visit to Gundumi, the Minister proceeded to Isa Local Government Area, where he was welcomed by the Chairman, Sharifu Abubakar Kamarawa, and the Emir of Isa, alongside local elders and council members.
He was accompanied by the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor on Security, and senior military officers.
The Minister called upon the people of Isa to remain vigilant and collaborate with security agencies by providing timely and relevant intelligence.
In response, the Chairman expressed gratitude to the Minister for his visit and pledged the full support of the local government.
Continuing the tour, Dr. Matawalle visited the village of Turba, where he engaged directly with the residents, assuring them of the deployment of additional military personnel to reinforce security.
En route to Sabon Birni, the Minister made a stop at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Sabon Birni where he addressed the troops, commending their resilience and dedication to defending the nation.
He assured them that their welfare and logistical needs would be promptly addressed, urging them to maintain their focus and determination in ongoing operations.
Upon arrival in Sabon Birni, Matawalle was received by the Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, at the local government secretariat.
He appealed to the local community to actively support the military and offer prayers for the troops who continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation. The Minister further assured the residents that a military base would soon be established between Sabon Birni and Tsamaye to enhance the security of the region.
Recognizing the devastation caused by banditry, the Minister also visited several villages that have become epicenters of insecurity, including Hawan Duro and Mai Lalle. In the areas where many residents have been displaced, he conducted a thorough evaluation of the situation and promised the deployment of additional military personnel, offering hope to the displaced populations that they would soon be able to return to their homes.
In Goronyo LGA, the Minister was welcomed by the Chairman, Engr. Zubairu Yari, and local government officials. Matawalle reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to establish military camps along critical routes, particularly the Kwanar Mahalba-Goronyo axis. He acknowledged the essential support provided by the Sokoto State Government, particularly in supplying operational vehicles to enhance military operations in the state.
Throughout the tour, Matawalle underscored the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restoring peace and security across Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.
He highlighted the appointment of key northerners in critical defense roles—including the Ministers of Defence, National Security Adviser, Ministers of Police Affairs, and the Chief of Defence Staff—underscoring the President’s determination to achieve lasting security in the region.
The Minister expressed his profound appreciation to the military personnel actively engaged in ongoing operations, emphasizing that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
“The efforts of our troops are deeply appreciated by the entire nation,” he stated, while urging communities to remain cooperative with security agencies in the collective fight against insurgency and banditry.
The minister’s media aide said the security tour in Sokoto sends a clear message that the Federal Government remains resolute in its mission to restore peace in the North-West.
He added that with the deployment of additional troops and the establishment of new military bases, residents of Sokoto and other states in the North-West region can look forward to a future free from the scourge of banditry.