Zamfara: New Theatre Commander vows decisive push against banditry, kidnapping
Zamfara: New Theatre Commander vows decisive push against banditry, kidnapping
The new Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), Maj.-Gen. Bello Idris says eradicating banditry in Zamfara remains key to ending insecurity in the Country.
Idris, who assumed duty as the OPFY in November, made the pledge during a maiden courtesy call on Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara in Gusau on Tuesday.
Idris promised to invoke a new strategy to restore law and order in the banditry ravaged areas of the state.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) recalls that Idris was redeployed from the Defence Department of Transformation and Innovation, following the recent posting of senior officers by the Nigerian Army Headquarters.
The commander told Lawal that he was not in Zamfara merely to reduce banditry but to completely clear the area of the menace.
According to him, plans are underway to inject new operational concepts with particular focus on efficiency and deeper community engagement.
He noted that many of the bandits either live within local communities or maintain strong alliances with locals, assuring that such alliances would be dismantled head-on.
The OPFY commander explained that his operational strategy would focus on Zamfara in the coming weeks as the military intensifies efforts to dismantle the bandits’ networks.
He assured that arrangements were being made to deploy additional manpower, logistics and equipment to ensure success of the new operation.
The commander said that the command would equally adopt a mobile aggressive posture to revamp the operation for greater efficiency to flush out the bandits in the coming weeks.
Idris is commanding joint operations covering the North West and parts of the North Central regions including Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Sokoto and Zamfara.
He said community collaboration would assist the command through intelligence sharing, information gathering and logistic enablers in their offensive to restore law and order in the area.
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He lauded Lawal for the improved road infrastructure, and support for the troops under his command.
Responding, Governor Lawal promised the state government’s support for the success of the military operations to dislodge the bandits in the state and the region.
Lawal said his administration had procured 30 Armour Personnel Carriers ( APC) for the security agencies to prosecute the ongoing war against banditry in the State.
Lawal, who described the commander as “Son of the Soil” assured that his understanding of the Zamfara terrain would enhance the success of the fight against banditry.
The governor reiterated his support for the military mission, even as he reaffirmed that his administration would not negotiate with any bandit group.
