To enable proper synergy and control between state actors in Zamfara State, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has announced a change in the Defence Headquarters led operations in the state which also assumed a Theatre Command status.
Director Defence Information, Brig. General Tukur Gusau in a statement said the operational code name is "Operation FANSAN YAMMA", which means SECURING THE WEST.
General Musa made this known today, Friday, 13 September, 2024 during his official assignment visit to Operational areas in Zamfara State in furtherance to his commitment in tackling insecurity in the country.
According to the CDS, the operations has now assumed a Theatre Command status with General Officers Commanding as component Commanders, respectively.
Equally, the CDS added that President Tinubu has approved the deployment of additional military platforms to achieve better results.
Speaking at the government house Gusau, the CDS showed appreciation to the governor for his support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria ( AFN) and other security agencies in the state. He commended the governor for the noticeable development within the past one year.
According to General Musa, the people of Zamfara are looking happy despite the security challenges facing the state, while adding that he was in Zamfara in solidarity with the people. Also, the Defence Chief assured the governor of restoring peace to the state as he said, " that is the mandate from Mr President.
As regards farmers access to freely cultivate without bandits interference, he said the Armed Forces Nigeria will provide security to the farmers to ensure bountiful harvest to ease the current hardship.
The CDS assures the governor of having a good, dedicated, and committed team of security heads in Zamfara. Consequently, he pledged to bring all the notorious bandits to book soon.
General Musa further appealed to the good people of Zamfara State not to allow themselves to be use as informant to the bandits to scuttle military operations, rather they should provide vital information to the security agencies to help eliminate bandits.
The CDS pledged to work together with state owned security establishments. He maintained that " We cannot be every where, we need positive men and women to help the process of achieving peace.
Addressing the troops of OPERATION HADARIN DAJI who bravery ambush and killed scores of terrorist on Thursday, the CDS charged them to develop a positive mindset to winning the war.
According to him, "Machines don't fight war but humans do". He pledge to provide every necessary platforms to execute the fight. He also promised to Vigorously pursue their welfare, as he rewarded their bravery instantly.
Zamfara state governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, in his response, thanked the CDS for finding time to travel by road from Abuja to Zamfara.
He says "it show a significant level of commitment." Dr Lawal added that General Musa presence in the state has added impetus to the security atmosphere in the state as people are now cheerful, warm, and believing an end to insecurity is near. " My government is fully committed to cooperation with the military and other security agencies in the state," he pledged.
He further stated that General CG Musa has demonstrated in all places he has worked that he is an achiever. He is confident the new measures in place will bring peace to Zamfara.
Meanwhile, in a latest development and in response to the terrorist ambush of our troops along Gusau Funtua Road, the Sector One organised an ambush on the terrorist escape routes where 40 of them were neutralized, including the notorious kingpin, Haliru Buzu suspected to be among those killed. Arms and motor cycles recovered during the operations.