The Defense Chief who stated this during a visit to Gov. Dauda Lawal in Government House, Gusau said Halilu and a score of his followers were neutralised during an encounter with troops deployed to Mayanci general area in Maru Local Government
He congratulated Zamfara people over the killing of the notorious bandits’ leader and assured them of more efforts to eliminate banditry in the North-West region.
“I am using this medium to congratulate Gov. Dauda Lawal and good people of Zamfara for the great success recorded.
“Killing of Kachalla Halilu is just the beginning; more bandits will be killed in Zamfara by the ongoing security operations.
“I commend our gallant troops for their dedication and hard work in the ongoing operations in the state
The defence chief noted that the ongoing military operations was part of the federal government’s strategies towards ending banditry in the North-West region.
“My visit to Zamfara today is to convey President Bola Tinubu’s readiness to fight banditry and other security challenges in Zamfara.
“More troops of security personnel will be deployed to Zamfara, they are to be supported with more weapons, security helicopters, and vehicles to aide their operations,” he assured.
GenMusa commended Gov. Lawal for his support to the security agencies in the fight against insecurity.
He appealed to the people of the state to continue to give necessary support in form of credible intelligence to security agencies to enable them to discharge their duties diligently noting that without support from the communities, “we cannot succeed.”.
He cautioned people of the state against rendering any kind of support to bandits, “as that will jeopardise the successes being recorded by the troops”.
“You should avoid conniving with bandits to destroy your state and Nigeria as a whole.”
In his remarks, Gov. Lawal described the CDS’ visit to the state as very fundamental and apt saying, “This is timely; we are happy to receive you today. This visit boosts our morale; in fact, it increases our confidence in the security agencies.
“Since my inception, our administration has been collaborating and supporting the security agencies; this is with a view to securing our dear state.
Zamfara state governor, Dr Dauda Lawal, in his response, thanked the CDS for finding time to travel by road from Abuja to Zamfara.
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He said the visit of the CDS “show a significant level of commitment and it has added impetus to the security atmosphere in the state as people are now cheerful, warm, and believing 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 the new measures in place will bring peace to Zamfara.
“We appreciate the ongoing operations by the security agencies, we are ready to support them to succeed,” the governor assured.
Gov. Lawal noted with dismay how Zamfara had become an epic centre of banditry activities in the North-West region.
“If we are able to join hands and tackle banditry activities in Zamfara, all other security challenges in the North-West will be easily addressed,” Lawal added.
The defence chief, who later addressed military personnel at the 1 Brigade Command, Gusau, commended the troops for the successes being recorded in the ongoing operations in the state.
“I want to commend you particularly for yesterday’s operation which recorded tremendous success.
“Scores of bandits were killed; over 30 motorcycles and weapons were recovered from them.
“I am here to encourage you to do more; as soldiers, you may not have all you need.
“We must finish the war we have started; we must end this war. I believe we can do it,” Musa said.
He, however, expressed sadness over the four soldiers killed during an encounter with bandits along Gusau-Tsafe road on Thursday.
“I am very bitter about the killing of those soldiers by the bandits. This is not acceptable. Enough is enough,” he said.
During the visit, the CDS and troops observed one minute of silence for the souls of the deceased army personnel.
Furthermore, towards ensuring proper synergy and control among state actors in Zamfara State, the CDS announced a change in the Defence Headquarters led operations in the state which also assumed a Theatre Command status.
Director Defence Information, Brig. General Tukur Gusau in a statement said the operational code name is “Operation FANSAN YAMMA”, which means REVENGE OF THE WEST.
According to the CDS, the operations has now assumed a Theatre Command status with General Officers Commanding as component Commanders, respectively.
The CDS added that President Tinubu has approved the deployment of additional military platforms to achieve better results.
The CDS pledged to work together with state owned security establishments maintainung that ” We cannot be every where, we need positive men and women to help the process of achieving peace.
Addressing the troops of OPERATION HADARIN DAJI who bravery ambush and killed scores of terrorist on Thursday, the CDS charged them to develop a positive mindset to winning the war saying, ‘Machines don’t fight war but humans do”.
He pledge to provide every necessary platforms to execute the fight. He also promised to Vigorously pursue their welfare, as he rewarded their bravery instantly.
