By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has confirmed the killing of a notorious bandits’ leader, Kachalla Halilu, and scores of other bandits in the ongoing operations in Zamfara.
The Defense Chief confirmed the development during a visit to Gov. Dauda Lawal in Government House, Gusau, on Friday.
He said Halilu and a score of his followers were neutralised during an encounter with troops deployed to Mayanci general area in Maru Local Government.
He congratulated Zamfara people over the killing of the notorious bandits’ leader and assured them of more efforts to eliminate banditry in the North-West region.
“I am using this medium to congratulate Gov. Dauda Lawal and good people of Zamfara for the great success recorded.
“Killing of Kachalla Halilu is just the beginning; more bandits will be killed in Zamfara by the ongoing security operations.
“I commend our gallant troops for their dedication and hard work in the ongoing operations in this state,” Musa said.
The defence chief noted that the ongoing military operations was part of the federal government’s strategies towards ending banditry in the North-West region.
“My visit to Zamfara today is to convey President Bola Tinubu’s readiness to fight banditry and other security challenges in Zamfara.
“More troops of security personnel will be deployed to Zamfara, they are to be supported with more weapons, security helicopters, and vehicles to aide their operations,” he assured.
Musa commended Gov. Lawal for his support to the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.
He appealed to the people of the state to continue to give necessary support in form of credible intelligence to security agencies to enable them to discharge their duties diligently.
According to him, without support from the communities, “we cannot succeed.”.
He, however, cautioned people of the state against rendering any kind of support to bandits, “as that will jeopardise the successes being recorded by the troops”.
“You should avoid conniving with bandits to destroy your state and Nigeria as a whole.”
Responding, Gov. Lawal described the CDS’ visit to the state as very fundamental and apt.
“This is timely; we are happy to receive you today. This visit boosts our morale; in fact, it increases our confidence in the security agencies.
“Since my inception, our administration has been collaborating and supporting the security agencies; this is with a view to securing our dear state.
“We appreciate the ongoing operations by the security agencies, we are ready to support them to succeed,” the governor assured.
Gov. Lawal noted with dismay how Zamfara had become an epic centre of banditry activities in the North-West region.
“If we are able to join hands and tackle banditry activities in Zamfara, all other security challenges in the North-West will be easily addressed,” Lawal added.
The defence chief, who later addressed military personnel at the 1 Brigade Command, Gusau, commended the troops for the successes being recorded in the ongoing operations in the state.
“I want to commend you particularly for yesterday’s operation which recorded tremendous success.
“Scores of bandits were killed; over 30 motorcycles and weapons were recovered from them.
“I am here to encourage you to do more; as soldiers, you may not have all you need.
“We must finish the war we have started; we must end this war. I believe we can do it,” Musa said.
He, however, expressed sadness over the four soldiers killed during an encounter with bandits along Gusau-Tsafe road on Thursday.
“I am very bitter about the killing of those soldiers by the bandits. This is not acceptable. Enough is enough,” he said.
NAN reports that during the visit, the CDS and troops observed one minute of silence for the souls of the deceased army personnel. (NAN)
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