Insecurity: Zamfara’ll support soldiers at frontline, says gov
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has commended the Joint Task Force for the renewed onslaught against bandits in the area, reiterating his government commitment to support troops fighting against insecurity in the state.
The military deployed more troops to the state last weekend in its efforts to thwart operations of bandits in volatile areas of the area.
A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, described the ongoing military onslaught as a necessary measure to counter the criminality of bandits in Zamfara.
The governor, who assured his administration of continued support to the troops at the frontline, also symphatised with communities affected by recent terrorist attacks in parts of the state.
“The Zamfara State government wishes to express sympathy with communities recently attacked by bandits. We are fully committed to ensuring the safety of the lives and properties of the people.
“Our government will continue to support the troops fighting insecurity and extend all necessary emergency support to the victims of banditry in the state,” the statement said.
It added, “The ongoing military operation in the volatile areas of Zamfara is highly commendable, especially considering the successes recorded since the start of the onslaught last weekend.
“The operation has resulted in significant successes in Bungudu, Tsafe, Maru and Zurmi Local Government Areas, leading to the elimination of a bandit kingpin, Abu Dan Dunkwuifa, famous for terrorizing villages in Bungudu and Maru.
“In Magama Mai Rake of Dansadau in Maru Local Government Area, the troops have successfully neutralized scores of bandits.
“The renewed military onslaught in Nasarawan Burkullu in Bukkuyum local Government Area resulted in the rescue of many kidnapped victims in Kamaru, Tungar Rogon, and Matsare villages, as well as the recovery of many rustled cows.
“The rumor that over 500 people were kidnapped is false and peddled by individuals who do not want peace to return to Zamfara State.
“Most of the identified volatile areas in Zamfara are undergoing extensive military operations, yielding positive results.”
The PUNCH reports that bandits had attacked no fewer than 50 communities in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara, according to a member of the House of Representatives representing Zurmi/Shinkafa Federal Constituency, Bello Hassan, on Tuesday.
Hassan, who made the statement during an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja, said the incessant attacks by the bandits had forced residents of the affected communities to abandon their ancestral homes.
Speaking on one of the attacks which happened last Monday, Hassan said the bandits invaded the Gidan Shaho community in large numbers.
He stated, ‘’Not less than 50 villages have been attacked by these elements and the residents of those villages displaced. Whenever the military attacked the gunmen; they (gunmen) retaliated by attacking the villagers. It is sad! Something should be done about this to safeguard the lives of the people in Zamfara communities,” he said.
- The Punch Newspaper
