*There’s need for simultaneous military operation on Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, Niger – Tambuwal
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, has appealed for adequate collaboration with stakeholders to tackle the disturbing issues of insecurity in Nigeria.
Yahaya, who spoke in Sokoto on Monday during a courtesy call on Governor Aminu Tambuwal, stressed the need for intelligence gathering, saying that the criminals are amongst the people and do not live in isolation.
Advising that people must be ready to report bad elements in the society, Yahaya said security is everybody’s business, ” which was why we engage with all stakeholders”.
The COAS, who observed that with intense intelligence gathering through robust civilian/military engagement, the development will help decrease the morals of bandits.
He added that the bandits cannot spend the ransom monies in isolation.
He said, “I am very pleased to be here because I am from Sokoto and it is my honour 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 are those few bad elements that escaped and come to hit our people. Bandits are from amongst the people. Lets work on intelligence”
Thanking Governor Tambuwal for his open door policies and the support security personnel in the state continue to enjoy from him, the COAS assured that the military will not relent until normalcy is returned to every part of this country.
Responding, Tambuwal said the people of the state were all happy when Yahaya was announced as COAS by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the people have since then continue to intensify prayers for him to succed against all criminals.
He said, “You have come at a 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 interet for these level of insecurity to continue.”
Tambuwal, who told the COAS that there is the urgent need for a simultanious military operation in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, noted that the army operations in Zamfara was worsening security situation in Sokoto State.
The COAS 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 accommodarion for all RSMs across the barracks.
“We will build standard accommodation for all Regimental Sergent Majors (RSM)”, Yahaya assured.
