Bello Matawalle, the state minister for defence, travelled to Sokoto State on Wednesday as part of the federal government’s stepped-up efforts to fight terrorism and banditry in the North-West.

President Bola Tinubu ordered the visit on Wednesday, which came after the minister’s initial visit on August 31 with Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Matawalle reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government to eradicate the evil of banditry in the Northwest.

I’m back in Sokoto State for the second time, per Mr. President’s orders, to oversee this massive operation to root out all the bandits and other criminals.

We have made some progress, most notably in the form of the assassination of infamous gang leaders and members at various locations. So far, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina states have shown signs of relative stability.

“I have hope that our brave soldiers will maintain their progress and keep achieving victories in the ongoing “Fansan Yamma” operations against these lawbreakers in the North-West,” Matawalle remarked.

He declared that until criminals were eradicated from the North-West and the entire country, the Federal Government would continue its onslaught.

We promise that we will never abandon you and that we will prevail in the conflict against bandits and their backers who want to terrorise the populace.

‘’By assisting them in resolving these issues, the Federal Government will continue to raise the spirits of soldiers and other security personnel.

The minister said, “We are grateful for the brave efforts and sacrifices made by our army and other security forces in the fight against insecurity.”

He urged other North-West governors to work with the federal government in the fight against insecurity and praised Ahmad Aliyu, the governor of Sokoto State, for his support of the security services.

Together, we must employ both kinetic and non-kinetic techniques to completely subdue these outlaws.

We refuse to be intimidated, to take a break, or to give the crooks any room to manoeuvre. Their unfettered movement must be stopped, and we will never give in to their propaganda, blackmail, or other mischievous actions against our operations. He continued, “We will never waver in our commitment to protecting the lives and belongings of our people.