From John Bassey, Gusau
The Minister of State for Defence and immediate past governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun, has called on governors of northwestern Nigeria to unite in their fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.
He made the call while paying a condolence to the people of Maru over the murder of the Chief Imam of Maru Juma’at Mosque, Alkali Salihu Suleiman, who was killed in cold blood alongside two of his children by armed bandits who abducted the victims two months earlier.
He lamented the latest dimension to armed banditry in the state, where religious leaders had become a target.
Matawalle assured that his ministry would continue to deploy more personnel to the state to eliminate criminals completely.
He assured that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was taking all the necessary steps to end banditry in the northwest region.
The minister further explained that the President had provided all the necessary equipment to the military to ensure the return of peace in the region.
He called on citizens to assist the security agencies with accurate intelligence to win the war against banditry and other criminalities
The Minister was represented by the Secretary to Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Ibrahim Umar Dangaladima who led a powerful delegation on the condolence visit.
Matawalle emphasised the need for synergy between the state governments in the northwest region and the federal government to bring a total shutdown against the bandits and their terrible inhuman activities.
Matawalle also donated five (5) million naira cash, ten (10) bags of rice, ten (10) cartons of spaghetti and ten (10) cartons of macaroni to the bereaved family.
Receiving the delegation, a member of the deceased family and Emir of Maru, Alh Abubakar Gado Maigari, thanked the minister for always showing concern for the people of the state and prayed Allah to continue to reward, guide, protect, and support him in all his dealings.