The Federal Government has deployed additional military personnel to Zamfara State as part of renewed efforts to tackle persistent banditry and other security threats in the region.
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced the deployment on Friday while addressing All Progressives Congress supporters in Gusau.
Matawalle, who served as governor of Zamfara from 2019 to 2023, said he was heading to meet with the troops to deliver firm directives aimed at intensifying the fight against terrorists.
“Right away, I am proceeding to meet with the troops to give them matching orders to decisively deal with terrorists and criminal elements in the state,” he said.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is leaving no stone unturned regarding the issue of insecurity affecting the country.”
The minister warned that security agencies would no longer delay action under the guise of awaiting further instructions.
“Henceforth, nobody should say they are waiting for order from above,” Matawalle stated.
“We are the ones to give the order, and by this, we are directing troops to end all forms of criminality across the nation.”
He also commended APC members for endorsing President Bola Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 general elections, describing the president as a leader with impactful policies.
“President Tinubu is a visionary leader with people-oriented programmes,” he said, citing the construction of the Zaria–Sokoto dual carriageway as one of the administration’s achievements.
Matawalle urged party members to continue mobilising support for the president ahead of the next general elections.
Zamfara remains one of the hardest-hit states in Nigeria’s northwest, where banditry and violent attacks have continued to claim lives.
Last month, armed men killed five policemen and three Community Protection Guards during a patrol along the Gusau–Funtua road in Tsafe Local Government Area.
In September, seven residents were killed when bandits attacked Magajin Wando village in Dandume LGA of neighbouring Katsina State.
