By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has said that plans are at an advanced stage for the launch of Operation ‘Fansan Yamma,’ a joint military theatre command established to tackle insecurity in the North-West.
He spoke on Thursday night when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House, Kaduna, as part of his official tour of the North-West Zone.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Baladuru emphasised the establishment of a command and control centre in the Northwest zone as a crucial step in addressing the menace of banditry.
“The president has charged us to be innovative and find lasting solutions to this security problem. We’re working hard to ensure its success,” he said.
He said the government was collaborating with neighbouring countries, particularly the Niger Republic, to combat terrorism and arms trafficking.
“We are working closely with the military, security agencies, and neighbouring countries to tackle terrorism, banditry, and arms trafficking. The Minister of State for Defence recently visited Sokoto to gather recommendations, and the Chief of Defence Staff met with the Nigerien government to discuss collaborative efforts,” he said.
On the security situation around Sokoto and its borders with Niger Republic, he said, “It’s a real concern, but we are not unaware of the situation. We are working hard to tackle it. The collaboration with Niger will help combat the movement of terrorists, arms, and ammunition.”
“The president is committed to ending insecurity in Nigeria. We’re working tirelessly to ensure peace and stability. I assure Nigerians that we’ll tackle these challenges, and by God’s grace, we’ll succeed,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Sani said, “We must establish a Command and Control Centre to coordinate our joint efforts against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in our region. We must also amplify support for our security forces, enhance our localised intelligence systems, stimulate investment in agriculture and agribusiness, expand rural infrastructure, broaden access to education and healthcare, and promote inclusivity among all our citizens.”
He thanked the Federal Government for its commitment to addressing the multidimensional challenges of insecurity confronting the North-West Zone and expressed concern over the debilitating effects of insecurity on the North-West Zone, including food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and increased poverty.
“We are grateful for the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the multidimensional challenges of insecurity confronting the North-West Zone. This initiative is timely and strategic, and we believe it will significantly improve food security, school enrolment, healthcare delivery, and the rural economy in general.
“Insecurity has had a debilitating effect on all facets of life in the Northwest. Our zone, which was the food basket of Nigeria, now faces the challenge of food insecurity. Our people cannot access health facilities. Most of our children are out of school due to the activities of criminals with scant regard for human life and dignity. Poverty has worsened. Fear pervades our zone.”
“With this development, there will be significant improvements in food security, school enrolment, access to healthcare delivery services, and the rural economy in general. It will further create an enabling environment for investments, economic growth, and revival of infrastructural projects that were stalled due to insecurity.”
“I suggest that Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna be reassigned to 1 Division in Kaduna for operational and administrative convenience.”
“We understand and appreciate the need for a strong collaborative framework towards tackling challenges of insecurity. We have nurtured a strong collaborative framework with security agencies, along with streamlined intelligence gathering and strategic coordination of security-related matters in Kaduna State.”
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s uncommon and sustained support for the North-West Zone. He has shown courage in adversity. We are grateful to him for always listening to us and taking practical steps to actualise our recommendations,” the governor said.
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