President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the request by Governor Bello Mohammed of Zamfara State to declare a state of emergency in northern states to contain the intractable insecurity crisis in the region. President Buhari ordered immediate deployment of 100 Special Rapid Response Troops to Zamfara State to combat the bandits terrorizing the northwest states.
Governor Bello Mohammed in a statement by his Press Secretary, Jamilu Iliyasu, commended the president for approving the troops for the state. The governor, hosting the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, and Commander, Joint Task Force, Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major-General Uwem Bassey, on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Gusau, expressed appreciation for the deployment of the 100 Special Forces to Zamfara State to fight the bandits in the Zamfara forest, expressing optimism that the deployment will end all forms of criminality in the state.
The Governor noted that the deployment is indicative that the President is concerned with what is happening in the State, especially, the recent resurgence of abductions and killings of innocent people in some parts of the State.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to give all necessary assistance, in terms of logistics and support to the Nigerian Army and all other security agencies in the State, to achieve success in the fight against criminality.
Governor Mohammed disclosed that his administration has engaged Islamic scholars and Imams, to pray fervently for the restoration of peace and tranquility in the State and the North, in general.
The Governor requested the intelligence unit of the Nigerian Army, particularly, the Operation Hadarin Daji, to redouble efforts in tracing and tracking informants, who are aiding banditry in the zone, calling for working synergy between all security agencies to achieve success in the war fronts.
It was highlighted that Major-General Bassey was at the Government House to notify the Governor of his assumption of duty as the new GOC of 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto.
The GOC noted that the Division, which is in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina states, is professionally carrying out Operation Hadarin Daji in the northwest zone.