The Zamfara and Plateau States Governors have on Wednesday made a special appeal to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja to deploy more troops to complement the efforts of the state government in combating the insecurity in the states.
Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal in his word said there has never been a day without a record of violence or casuality which is worrisome, as this has affected the livelihood of the people of the state. "Without security, people won't be able to farm, children won't be able to go to school, and citizens would be deprived of employment.
Dr Lawal who commended the efforts of troop in conjuction with other security agencies requested for the deployment of adequate logistics like the CSK vehicles used by military troops for kinetic operations.
He said his government is ready to assist the troops in any capacity to combat this criminality that is making life unbearable and difficult for Zamfara people. He said if the military can get hold of Zamfara State, other North West states will be peaceful.
"I also appeal to you to look into how to bring synergy between the security forces within the state, synergy between the security forces and the civil society to enable flow of information, if we are able to tackle the security in Zamfara state, the whole of north will be more secure” stated Dr. Dauda.
The Zamfara state Governor therefore expressed confidence in the team of security Chiefs appointed by President Bola Tinubu and said to whom much is given much is also expected as there is much more work to be done on Nigeria’s security situation.
His counterpart, the governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb M Mutfwang said the non-kinetic his government is employing will compliment the effort of troops in his state.
He noted that, roundtable talk with critical stakeholders in the state will bring lasting peace and will assist in curbing incessant insecurity in the state.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja promised that the Nigerian Army will do all it takes to support the renewed hope agenda to bring hope to the people of Zamfara and Plateau States.
The Army Chief said the Nigerian Army and the armed forces of Nigeria has risen up to the challenges in Zamfara to combat the security threats with operation HADARIN DAJI, which had been up and running in Zamfara and environs.
General Lagbaja said he was delighted to have a good feed-back from the people on the ongoing field operations of the military in state from the state government.
He advised the Governor of Plateau State to convene an expanded stakeholders meeting with critical stakeholders to end killings in State, noting that, Nigerian Army is peoples Army.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, "shortly before His Excellency arrived at the Army HQ, I received the report from the field, the GOC 3 Division sent me the report because I’m interested in what he’s doing and they told me of what he has done in concert with the other security agencies in the theatre of operation and he has asked that will explore available channels to bring to the attention of your Excellency the need to convene an expanded stakeholders meeting. It is better to bring all stakeholders to the table and let them joy joy rather than War War. So I will appeal that you look at the possibility of looking at the previous reports of commissions of inquiry”.
The army Chief also revealed that, Bandit regrouped after being granted amnesty, “The issue of the armnesty program needs to be looked into as it has given some criminal elements the leverage to regroup and launch attacks on innocent citizens in some communities.
He stressed that the Nigerian army is working to synchronise the operations between 2 Division and 8 Division to combat these threats”.
