The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, visited Zamfara State on Friday, September 13th, 2024 on an official assignment to Operational areas in furtherance to his commitment in tackling insecurity in the country.
Speaking at the government house, Gusau, the CDS showed appreciation to the governor for his support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies in the state. He commended the governor for the noticeable development within the past one year.
According to General Musa, the people of Zamfara are looking happy despite the security challenges facing the state, while adding that he was in Zamfara in solidarity with the people. Also, the Defence Chief assured the governor of restoring peace to the state as he said, “that is the mandate from Mr President.”
As regards farmers access to freely cultivate without bandits interference, he said the AFN will provide security to the farmers to ensure bountiful harvest to ease the current hardship. The CDS assures the governor of having a good, dedicated, and committed team of security heads in Zamfara. Consequently, he pledged to bring all the notorious bandits to book soon.
General Musa further appealed to the good people of Zamfara State not to allow themselves to be use as informant to the bandits to scuttle military operations, rather they should provide vital information to the security agencies to help eliminate bandits. He seized the opportunity to inform the governor of a change in the Defence Headquarters led operations in the state.
According to him, the operations has now assumed a theater Command status with General officers Commanding as component Commanders, respectively. This he said is to enable for proper synergy and control between state actors. He also said the operational code is renamed Operation FANSAN YAMMA. Equally, the CDS added that Mr President has approved the deployment of additional military platforms to achieve better results.
Similarly, the CDS pledged to work together with state owned security establishments. He maintained that “We cannot be every where, we need positive men and women to help the process of achieving peace”.
In his address to the troops of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army whose bravery ambushed and killed scores of terrorist earlier today, the CDS charged them to develop positive mindset to winning the war. According to him, “Machines don’t fight war but humans do”. He pledge to provide every necessary tools required to execute the fight. He also promised to Vigourosly pursue their welfare.
The Zamfara state governor, Dr Dauda Lawal in his response, thanked the CDS for finding time to travel by road from Abuja to Zamfara. He says “it shows a significant level of commitment”. Dr Lawal added that General Musa presence in the state has added impetus to the security atmosphere in the state as people are now cheerful, warm and believe an end to insecurity is near.
“My government is fully committed to cooperation with the military and other security agencies in the state” he pledged. He further stated that General CG Musa has demonstrated in all places he has worked that he is an achiever. He is confident that the new measures emplaced will bring peace to Zamfara.
Meanwhile, in a latest development, Sector One Joint Task Force (NW) Operation Hadarin Daji organised an ambush on the terrorist escape route along Gusau Funtua Road, where 40 of them were neutralized including notorious kingpin, Halilu Buzu. Arms and motor cycles were recovered during the operations.
