President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered soldiers to be ruthless in dealing with militant herdsmen and others who have constituted insecurity to Nigeria.
The President, who today, Saturday, paid surprise visit on the troops deployed to curb the activities of bandits and criminals in Zamfara and neighbouring states under Operations Sharan Daji and Diran Mikiya from Katsina axis, commended them for their service and dedication to the nation.
Buhari, who made the visit to the troops the last thing before leaving for Abuja from Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, assured them that as a worthy commander in Chieftain, he is solidly behind them.
“I am here and pleased at this opportunity to address you and express my pleasure and happiness as your Commander-in-Chief I am here and pleased at this opportunity to address you and express my pleasure and happiness as your Commander-in-Chief on your performance on the two respective operations.
‘‘Nigerians are looking up to you and us to secure the country. What is happening in the areas of operations are disgraceful. I’m very pleased with the way officers and men are firmly putting it down and I want you to be as ruthless as humanly possible. Nigerians deserve some peace.’’
The President reminded the troops that when he was elected into office in 2015, he promised the nation security, an improved economy and a commitment to fight corruption.
‘‘The country has to be secured to be managed…we have been doing our best and we depend a lot on you to do what is needed in the field. I do not want you to spare any cattle rustler, armed robber or any person who thinks he is above the law.
‘‘I commend you for the job you have been doing so far and I assure you that I will continue to be a worthy Commander-in-Chief. Thank you very much and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In his brief to the President, Air Vice Marshall Sampson Akpasa the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, NAF, said locations such as Mashema, Shinkafi, Ajia, Rafi, Shamashalle, Zurmi and Galadi in Zamfara State, previously used as staging and trading bases by the bandits have been made untenable through sustained air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.
‘‘The air efforts in the last couple of weeks also provided close air support to ground troops on various occasions. Additionally, the Air Task Force(ATF) responded to several distress calls from sister security forces and locals by neutralising the identified massed bandits and preventing imminent attacks on villages/towns such as Yanwari and Hayin Alhaj.” Akpasa said.
In the spirit of the Sallah celebrations, the President donated five bulls to the troops.
