Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday, pledged to eliminate bandits operating in the North-West region.

Matawalle, accompanied by security chiefs including Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa, visited Sokoto as part of efforts to combat the banditry crisis.

In a statement to journalists, Matawalle explained that their visit was on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that the president instructed them to relocate to Sokoto to evaluate the security situation and lead operations aimed at removing bandits from the region.

“We are here as directed by Mr. President, who contacted us from China and issued a mandate for us to relocate to Sokoto. Our mission is to review our operations and ensure that the people of this region can sleep peacefully,” Matawalle said.

“The president is deeply concerned about the situation in the North-West. He directed me and the Chief of Defence Staff to halt our activities in Abuja and oversee the operation of our troops in Sokoto.”

Matawalle said that Nigeria is a nation governed by a constitution and a democratically elected president committed to leaving a positive legacy.

He noted the president’s strategic appointments of northern leaders to key security positions, including himself from Zamfara State, CDS Musa from Kaduna State, Minister of Defence Badaru from Jigawa State, National Security Adviser from Adamawa State, and Minister of State for Police Affairs from the North.

“The president has appointed us because he understands the pressing issue of insecurity in our region. We are here to eradicate the bandits that have been terrorising our communities,” he said.

Matawalle urged the troops to remain steadfast in their mission against banditry, assuring them of all necessary support.

Recently, bandits in Sokoto abducted Isa Bawa, the Emir of Gobir, from the Gatawa area. The Emir was killed after three weeks in captivity due to the failure to meet the ransom demands for his release.