- * Declares That Bandits Are Among The People
By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The 20th Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has appealed for adequate collaboration with all and sundry to help tackle the disturbing issues of insecurity in Nigeria.
Yahaya who spoke in Sokoto during a courtesy call on Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stressed the need for intelligence gathering. According to him, these criminals are from amongst the people and do not live in isolation.
While advising that people must be ready to report bad elements in the society to the appropriate authorities, General Yahaya said security is everybody's business, " which was why we engage with all stakeholders".
The Army Chief observed that an intense intelligence gathering through robust civilian/military engagement will help decrease the morals of bandits. He further observed that they cannot spend the ransom monies in isolation.
"I am very pleased to be here because I am from Sokoto and it is my honor to pay this visit hence the governor is the Chief security officer of the State.
"It is usual to go round after taking up position to see your troops and encourage them. People don't hear the several successes and efforts we are making from behind the scene in curbing insecurity. But I can assure you that the bad news we hear is those few bad elements that escaped and come to hit our people. Bandits are from amongst the people. Let's work on intelligence"
While thanking Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for his open-door policy and for the support the security personnel in the State have continued to enjoy from him, the Chief of Army Staff assured that they will not relent until normalcy is returned to every part of this country.
Reacting to the courtesy visit, governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said they were all happy when he was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that they have since then continued to intensify prayers for him to succeed against the criminals.
"You have come at very trying moments. You have come in an era where we have issues of banditry and other crimes. It is our collective duty to work with all to nip in the bud these issues. It is not of anybody's interest for these levels of insecurity to continue"
Tambuwal who told General Yahaya that there is an urgent need for a simultaneous military operation in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, and the Niger States, noted that the army operations in Zamfara were worsening security situation in Sokoto State.
The Army Chief had earlier visited the Headquarters of 8 Div Nigerian Army Sokoto, where he donated a brand new Hilux van to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) with a promise to build a befitting accommodation for all RSMs across the barracks.
"We will build standard accommodation for all Regimental Sergent Majors (RSM)". Lt Gen Yahaya assured. NNL.
