The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, on Saturday, praised the Sokoto State Government for supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Matawalle disclosed this during the handover ceremony of 10 operational vehicles to military forces deployed to Sokoto State held at the Sokoto State Government House.

He noted that the vehicles, consisting of 8 Buffalo trucks and 2 Toyota Hilux, were donated by the Sokoto State Government as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government’s security initiatives in the North-West.

He recalled that donation follows a larger contribution made a few months ago when Sokoto donated 100 operational vehicles to security forces in the state to combat banditry and insurgency.

Matawalle, in a statement by its Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, said: “I commend the Sokoto State Government for its steadfast support to the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“The security of our nation demands a collective effort at every level. The Sokoto State Government has consistently demonstrated its dedication to this cause. These vehicles will significantly improve the operational capacity of our forces across the region.”

READ ALSO: Matawalle in Sokoto, warns bandits, kidnappers

He emphasized that the operational vehicles would greatly enhance the mobility, efficiency, and readiness of the security forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security challenges.

In his address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Brigadier General I.A. Ajosin, who received the vehicles, expressed profound gratitude to the Sokoto State Government on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff for its continued support of military operations in the region.

Following the vehicle handover, Matawalle received an in-depth operational briefing from the Air Component of Joint Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West.

The briefing provided a comprehensive analysis of recent successes, including the neutralization of several bandit leaders through coordinated air and ground offensives.

Matawalle praised the Air Component for its precision and effectiveness, commending recent missions that have significantly disrupted bandit activities.

He reassured them that the Federal Government remains fully committed to addressing challenges to ensure continued success.