President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a decisive directive to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to eradicate banditry in the North-West region, particularly in Zamfara State, by the end of 2025.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, during an address to All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at his residence in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Saturday.
Matawalle revealed that the President’s concern over the persistent insecurity in the region has prompted the procurement of advanced military hardware to bolster the fight against bandits. He confirmed the arrival of some of the equipment, including Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and warplanes, signaling the federal government’s readiness to tackle the menace decisively.
“The federal government, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is seriously committed to ending banditry in the North-West. The issue of insecurity needs to be faced with all seriousness by all concerned citizens, devoid of political affiliations, as bandits do not discriminate based on party lines,” Matawalle said.
He further assured the public that Tinubu’s administration is committed to transformative reforms aimed at improving the nation, urging Zamfara residents to support and pray for the success of the government’s initiatives.
Matawalle emphasized the importance of unity in addressing insecurity and urged citizens to put aside political differences for the collective good.
This development comes as Zamfara and other states in the North-West continue to grapple with banditry, which has led to significant loss of lives and displacement of communities. Tinubu’s directive is seen as a bold move to restore peace and stability to the region.
The President’s administration is under increasing pressure to demonstrate its capacity to tackle insecurity as part of its broader reform agenda for Nigeria.