Insecurity: Service Chiefs Storm Zamfara State (Photos)

The nation’s Service Chiefs on Tuesday, paid an operational visit to Zamfara State as part of renewed efforts targeted at totally eliminating bandits and other criminals from the region.

The service chiefs were led on the visit by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. Some principal military officers were also part of the visit.

The military chiefs during the visit, assessed the ongoing military operation in Zamfara state, as well as appraise the combat and operational readiness of troops in the Area of Operations.

The CDS and Service Chiefs were received by the Force Commander OPHD Major General Aminu Bande, Commander 1 Bde and Commander 207 NAF QRG.

The CDS in his remarks during the visit, charged the troops to remain committed and motivated in stamping out the insurgents and other criminals in the area.

A statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig General Onyema Nwachukwu, said, “On arrival at the Force Headquarters, OPHD, Gusau, the CDS and Service Chiefs were briefed on operational activities and achievements of the Operation by the Force Commander Major General Aminu Bande after which the CDS addressed the troops.”

The CDS urged them to “continue giving their utmost best to ensure the return of lasting peace to Zamfara State in particular, and the North-West zone in general. He urged them to be ruthless and more aggressive in decisively routing out unrepentant bandits and other criminals within the North-West zone comprising Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states.”

The CDS and Service Chiefs thereafter paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle at the government house, Gusau.

The Governor urged the military leadership to provide more modern war hardware to the troops prosecuting the war against the insurgents.

The CDS in response, assured the governor, and Nigerians in general, that the military remains committed to decisively dealing with all criminal elements operating across the various zones of the country.

Below are some photos from the visit.

Meanwhile, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has confirmed the release of its operatives arrested by the Police after the group captured suspected Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili.

The OPC National Coordinator and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief Gani Adams confirmed the release in a statement on Tuesday.

He noted that despite the unjust experience of his people in the hands of the police, the OPC will continue to collaborate with security operatives to arrest criminals in the southwest and ensure the region remains calm and peaceful.