Insecurity: Tambuwal urges Army Chief to review operations in Northwest

The Executive Governor of Sokoto State Right Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has reaffirmed his commitment to support the Nigerian Army (NA) to tackle insecurity bedeviling the Northwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

Governor Tambuwal stated that in spite of the state’s lean resources, the state government will do all it could to provide requisite support to end banditry in Sokoto and the contiguous states.

The Governor stated this when the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House on Monday 18 October 2021.

The COAS was on an operational visit to Headquarters 8 Division to assess troops’ operational readiness and provide guidance on strategies to address the security challenges within the Division’s Area of Operational responsibility.

Governor Tambuwal, who noted that the visit was a homecoming for the COAS as a worthy son of Sokoto state, urged him to review the ongoing operations with renewed strategies to identify and destroy bandits’ enclaves.

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He stressed that the recent attacks on Goronyon village was quite disheartening and therefore informed the need to review strategies of military operations in the zone to prevent a recurrence.

In his remarks, the COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya commended Governor Tambuwal for his continuous support to the NA and urged him not to relent on his effort.

He assured that the NA will not disappoint the government and people, as effort is ongoing to reorganize and rejig the operations in the Northwest. He emphasized that the NA is working assiduously with other security agencies and stakeholders to robustly confront the situation.

While on the visit to Headquarters 8 Division, the COAS received a brief on the security situation of Sokoto and the contiguous states from the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Uwem Bassey.

He advised the commanders to always appreciate the contributions of other stakeholders for supporting the NA in the ongoing joint operations. He assured the troops of his readiness to provide necessary equipment to conduct their operations.

On troops’ welfare, the COAS assured the personnel of constructing additional accommodation blocks for personnel, adding that uniform and military kits will also be provided.

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The COAS also visited the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the III.

The COAS later visited frontline troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Sabon Birnin and Isa, both in Sokoto state, to assess the security situation, following recent bandits’ attack on the communities.

While addressing troops at the respective FOBs, the COAS commended them for restoring peace in the communities. He urged them to remain alert and vigilant to prevent any surprise attack.