Killings: Military allowed bandits displaced in Zamfara to enter Sokoto - Governor Tambuwal
Following the recent
killings in the state, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has blamed the military for the
increased insecurity in the state. Tanbuwal said this while receiving Yusuf Bichi,
director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Babagana Monguno,
national security adviser, and Samuel Adebayo, chief of defense intelligence.
They are members of a delegation sent by President Muhamadu Buhari to the state
following the recent killings in Sokoto state.
The governor accused
the military of allowing bandits displaced from Zamfara state to enter the
state he governs. Governor Tambuwal also maintained that Operation Hadarin Daji
was carried out without any blocking force around neighboring states
particularly Sokoto state.
The Governor maintained that Operation Hadarin Daji,
the precursor of the escalation of tension and crisis in Sokoto state was
carried out without any blocking force around the neighboring states,
particularly Sokoto state.
According to the
governor, things are getting out of hand and something has to be done.
He
called for something to be done as things are getting out of hand. Tawbuwal said;
“Operation Hadarin Daji, the
precursor of the escalation of tension and crisis in Sokoto state was carried
out without any blocking force around the neighboring states, particularly
Sokoto state.
“Also, the timing of the operation,
whereby, unfortunately, our security agents do not have enough equipment to
move and curtail and contain those that would pander towards Sokoto state
didn’t help the timing as well. So, the timing and the way the operation was
carried out left Sokoto very vulnerable.
“It does appear as if those bandits
pursued from Zamfara state have relocated to Sokoto state. This is a very
serious call for concern.
“There is a
need for more boots on the ground. I am familiar with the situation at the
center, but I believe that something can be done, and, that should be done
urgently and expeditiously because our situation is getting out of hand.”
The governor also said
that his administration has been supporting security operatives in their
efforts to tackle insecurity.
He
added;
“Here in Sokoto state, you can
verify this from the heads of security agencies, there is nothing they have
asked of us that we have not done. Nothing.
“Since the
commencement of this administration, we have given security personnel in Sokoto
state not less than 500 vehicles. We are also doing whatever it takes in terms
of funding from our end despite the lean resources that we have as a state.”
Head
of the delegation, Babagana Monguno disclosed that President Buhari has asked
them to ensure that relevant agencies do not rest until they flush out the
perpetrators of not just these last two incidents that occurred, but also
previous incidents.
He
said;
“We are in Sokoto on a specific
mission instructed by President Buhari, to condole you and the very good people
of Sokoto State as well as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III,
over the unfortunate incidents that have been occurring over the last couple of
weeks.
“Mr. President is conveying his
profound condolence over the loss of all the citizens who have departed.
“He also wants us to express his
deep sympathy as well as his determination that the perpetrators of this
gruesome, wicked activities are apprehended and brought to book.
“He has
charged to make sure that all the relevant agencies do not rest until we can
flush out the perpetrators of not just these last two incidents that occurred,
but also previous incidents.”
