By Milcah Tanimu
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Defence Minister Dr. Bello Matawalle, is intensifying efforts to eradicate bandits, terrorists, and other criminal gangs terrorizing the Northwest. Speaking in Sokoto on Wednesday, Matawalle announced his return to coordinate operations against these criminal elements as part of President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
Matawalle emphasized the government’s commitment, stating, “We have recorded some level of achievements,” highlighting successes in eliminating notorious gang leaders. The ongoing operation, dubbed Fansan Yamma, aims to restore peace specifically in Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states.
The minister assured residents that the military would continue to work tirelessly against these threats, stressing the importance of collaboration among governors, religious leaders, and community stakeholders. “We must collaborate together to bring these bandits down through the use of kinetic and non-kinetic methods to crush them entirely,” he asserted.
In addition to military efforts, Matawalle called on the media to avoid sensationalizing banditry and terrorism, which he believes contributes to the problem. He plans to visit Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi states to further bolster support for these operations.
The Nigerian Air Force has recently reported significant successes, including the killing of terrorist kingpin Halilu Sububu, who was responsible for numerous attacks across multiple states. This initiative reflects the government’s broader strategy to combat insecurity in the region effectively.
