Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday, arrived Sokoto State in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
On arrival, they held a close door meeting at the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
At the meeting which lasted for over an hour, the Minister was said to be briefed on the security situation in the area by the acting Commander of Operation Hadarin Daji.
In an interview with newsmen, Matawalle said they were in Sokoto to flush out bandits terrorising the region.
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“We are here as directed by Mr President who called us from China and gave us a marching order that we should relocate to Sokoto to review our operation here and to ensure the people of this region sleep with their two eyes closed.”
“The President is worried about what is happening in the Northwest region. So he called me and the Chief of Defence Staff and directed us to leave whatever we are doing in Abuja and come to Sokoto and supervise the operation of our troops.
“Nigeria is not a banana country. It’s a country governed by a constitution under a democratically elected President who want to leave a good legacy.
“The President carefully selected northerners and appointed them into key position. 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 also 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 MRAP by the Bello Turji-led bandits.
“Do not be discouraged by the recent incidents. The GOC will be given good support. I urge you to keep on doing the good job. We are here to support you to flush out bandits and criminal in this zone,” he said
The Minister also donated N5 million to soldiers injured in the line of action.
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