Defence Minister Bello Matawalle has arrived in Sokoto State, accompanied by top military officials, to oversee operations against rising insecurity in Nigeria’s North-west region. This move comes in direct response to an order from President Bola Tinubu.
Upon arrival at Sultan Abubakar International Airport on Tuesday, Matawalle was joined by Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and Chief of Defence Intelligence Emmanuel Undiandeye.
The delegation immediately proceeded to the 8 Division Headquarters in Sokoto to address troops.
“We are here in Sokoto State on the instructions of President Tinubu, who directed the Ministry of Defence, with all its artillery, to come to Sokoto and review the operations, especially that of Operation Hadarin Daji,” Matawalle stated.
The minister emphasized the president’s concern over the deteriorating security situation in the North-west, revealing that Tinubu had ordered their immediate relocation to Sokoto while he was in China.
“The President is worried about what is happening in the North-west. He called me and the Chief of Defence Staff while he was in China to immediately suspend whatever we were doing and come down to Sokoto,” Matawalle explained.
This presidential directive follows a recent incident where terrorists, led by kingpin Bello Turji, allegedly destroyed two military vehicles and celebrated their “victory” in a widely circulated video.
Matawalle assured the troops of full presidential support in their fight against bandits.
He also highlighted Tinubu’s strategic appointments of northern officials to key security positions, interpreting it as a deliberate move to address the region’s unique challenges.
“Nigeria is not a banana republic; Nigeria is a country governed by the Constitution, and you all know Mr. President knows the problems of the North, and that is why he appoints his security team from the North, including myself and the Defence Minister,” he added.
The North-west region has been plagued by escalating terrorist activities, with four of its seven states ranking among the top five for kidnapping incidents between July 2023 and June 2024.
Recent attacks include the execution of the Emir of Sabon Birni, Isa Bawa, who was kidnapped in July and killed in captivity last month.
