Matawalle seeks COAS support in dialogue with bandits

Zamfara state Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle Thursday visited the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai at the army headquarters, Abuja to solicit for cooperation in ensuring success of his administration’s peace and initiatives with bandits.

The governor was received by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai and some army principal officers.

Matawalle during the visit told Gen. Buratai that he was at the army headquarters in order to show his appreciation and that of his government to the army regarding the roles and contributions of the officers and men in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in Zamfara state.

The governor added that the state has gained a lot through the support and cooperation of the army leading to achievement being recorded and giving him a road map in decimating the security challenges.

Matawalle further said he was optimistic that with the support being received from the security agencies and God’s guidance through peace process, a lot of success has been recorded so far, adding that within the  short period and the  intelligence at his disposal, the activities of armed bandits had reduced by 90 per cent.

He described the presence of the military in the state as encouraging and requested for the deployment of more while  promising to provide all the needed logistics.

He also appreciated the good relationship existing between the state government and the Nigerian Army and called for more synergy and understanding for the success of the peace process in the state which can be replicated in neighbouring states.

The governor described peace, reconciliation and dialogue as the best option of ending any security challenge nationally and internationally and noted that what the people of the state needed most is to see to the conclusive end of criminality within and outside the state.

Responding, Gen. Buratai commended the governor for taking political direction in tackling the security situation in the state.

Buratai added that since Matawalle mounted the saddle, he has observed excellent leadership which has helped in reducing the activities of armed bandits.

Leave a Reply