Defence Minister Orders Troops to Intensify Operations as Fresh Attacks Rock Zamfara
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has directed troops engaged in counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria’s North-West to intensify military operations and charged them on more action to halt the latest wave of terrorist attacks in Zamfara State.
The order comes amid renewed insecurity in parts of the state, following reports of persistent attacks and the abduction of two local government officials.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media, Ahmed Dan Wudil, Matawalle expressed sympathy with the people of Bungudu Local Government Area and other communities affected by the recent attacks.
“I sympathise with the people of Bungudu and other communities affected by these terrorist attacks. I have further directed security personnel to sustain pressure on the criminals until the abducted victims are rescued and those responsible for these heinous acts are neutralised,” Matawalle said.
The minister instructed security agencies to intensify the use of modern combat strategies and strengthen intelligence gathering, particularly during the ongoing rainy season, to facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims and disrupt the activities of terrorist groups.
He also ordered troops under Operation Fansan Yamma, which covers Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states, to reinforce offensive operations against terrorist enclaves and maintain increased patrols in areas suspected to be used as operational bases.
“Security forces must sustain offensives against terrorist hideouts and strengthen patrols in locations believed to be used for planning and launching attacks,” he said.
Matawalle appealed to traditional leaders, community heads and rural residents to support security agencies by providing credible intelligence on individuals collaborating with terrorists or leaking sensitive information to criminal groups.
The minister further commended the armed forces for their previous successes in dismantling terrorist networks in Gummi, Anka, Tsafe and Faskari, urging them to remain committed to restoring lasting peace and security across the North-West.
“I commend our security personnel for their remarkable achievements in dismantling terrorist networks in Gummi, Anka, Tsafe and Faskari. I encourage them to remain steadfast in their mission to bring an end to insecurity in the North-West,” Matawalle added.
