Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and COAS Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, during a courtesy visit at the Government house, Sokoto. PHOTOS BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has appealed for adequate collaboration with all and sundry to help tackle the disturbing issues of insecurity in Nigeria.
Yahaya who spoke in Sokoto during a courtesy visit to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal stressed the need for intellegence gathering. This according to him, is because “these criminals are from amongst the people and do not live in isolation”.
While advising that people must be ready to report bad elements in the society, General Yahaya said security is everybody’s business, and proper engagement with various stakeholders must be enhanced.
The COAS noted that intense intelligence gathering through robust civilian/military engagement, would help decrease the morals of bandits, adding that the bandits cannot spend the ransom monies in isolation
“I am very pleased to be here because I am from Sokoto and Its my honour to paid this visit hence the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“It is usual to go round after taking up position to see your troops and encourage them. People don’t hear the several successes and efforts we are making from behind the scene in curbing insecurity. But I can assure you that the bad news we hear are those few bad elements that escaped and come to hit our people. Bandits are from amongst the people. Lets work on intelligence”
While thanking Governor Tambuwal for his open door policies and the support to security personel, the COAS assured that they will not relent until normalcy is returned to every part of this country.
Reacting, Governor Tambuwal said the people of the state were all happy when he was announced by President Muhammadu Buhari as the COAS and have since then continue to intensify prayers for him to succed against all criminals.
“You have come at a very trying moments. You have come in an era where we have issues of banditry and other crimes. It is our collective duty to work with all to nip in the bud these issues. It is not of any body’s interet for these level of insecurity to continue”
Tambuwal who told the COAS that there is the urgent need for a simultanious military operation in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, noted that the Army’s operations in Zamfara was worsening security situation in Sokoto State.
The COAS had earlier visited the Headquarters of 8 Div Nigerian Army Sokoto, where he donated a brand new Hilox van to the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) with a promise to build a befitting accommodarion for all RSMs across the barracks.
“We will build standard accommodation for all Regimental Sergent Majors (RSM)”. lLt Gen Yahaya assured.