Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has renewed his call for increased military intervention to restore law and order, enabling communities across the state to return to their farms.
The governor made the appeal on Monday while receiving the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Gusau.
Lawal stressed that security remains the bedrock of sustainable development, noting that Zamfara’s predominantly agrarian population requires a safe environment to carry out farming activities and sustain livelihoods.
He called for intensified military support and stronger collaboration to address persistent insecurity affecting Zamfara and the wider North-West region.
Describing the CDS’s visit as timely, the governor said it demonstrated the Armed Forces’ commitment to tackling security challenges in the region.
He added that the presence of top military leadership would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements.
Lawal emphasised the importance of strengthening security at the grassroots level, noting that improved safety in Zamfara would significantly impact stability across the North-West.
The governor recounted a recent incident in Wanzaamai community, where residents, including women and children, blocked his convoy to protest ongoing bandit attacks following the withdrawal of security personnel from the area.
He said the incident underscored the urgent need for renewed military presence in vulnerable communities.
According to him, criminal elements are not more powerful than Nigeria’s security forces, but require strategic coordination, adequate logistics, and sustained operational support to be effectively defeated.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by security personnel, Lawal pledged continued support from the state government to complement federal efforts.
He also urged the Defence Chief to provide additional support to field commanders, including theatre and brigade commanders, to enhance operational effectiveness.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for ongoing support to the Armed Forces, while calling for increased intervention to bolster security at the grassroots level.
Earlier, Oluyede said his visit was aimed at assessing ongoing military operations under Operation Fansan Yamma and engaging stakeholders on improving security in the region.
He noted that he had reviewed operational activities on the ground, adding that several challenges identified by troops had been addressed, while others were under consideration.
Oluyede commended the Zamfara State Government for its support to military operations, describing the collaboration as uncommon and crucial to boosting troop morale and effectiveness.
He also appreciated residents of the state for their cooperation with security forces, noting that such support had created a conducive environment for operations.
The CDS emphasised that addressing insecurity requires collective responsibility, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s security challenges can be overcome through sustained collaboration among the military, government, and citizens.
He described the visit as a mark of respect for the governor’s leadership and reiterated the importance of direct engagement with state authorities in combating insecurity.
Oluyede expressed optimism that continued synergy among stakeholders would significantly curb banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities in Zamfara and the broader North-West region.
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