From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
Northern Elder Progressive Forum (NEF) has applauded the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the proactive measures taken on the fight against banditry in the North West states and North Central state of Niger.
Its Chairman, Dr. Usman Sani told journalists in Sokoto that the Forum is well pleased with the improvement recorded under the president within the short time of his administration unlike what obtained in the past.
“Just within one month, we have seen over 260 persons being rescued from armed bandits’ dens and many bandits being eliminated by the military through various airstrikes and ground operations. This number was not part of other successful military operations in the past few months across North West states.
“This is a great achievement under this administration unlike what we experienced under the previous government of former president, Muhammadu Buhari.”
The Forum also commended the Minister of State, Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, for his efforts toward ensuring that the North West states are safe from nefarious activities of armed groups.
While commending the minister of state’ directive that gallant troops to, henceforth, for the sake of urgency, identify and clamp down on bandits’ enclaves even without ‘On-the-Spot’ order from the above, the forum said “the directive has really helped in sustaining the fight against the activities of bandits.”
The Forum also applauded the minister’s official visit to the United States to brainstorm on how best to improve security in the country.
“We hope that this visit will turnout to be a good tide to the country’s quest for peace and stability.”
The Forum, however, asked President Tinubu to continue his usual support to the course of securing lives and properties of Nigerians.