Tinubu Orders Defence Minister, Military Chiefs to Relocate to Sokoto in Fresh Anti-Terror Push

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and top military chiefs to relocate to Sokoto State as part of an intensified effort to eliminate rampant terrorism in the North-west, an official has announced.

The North-west remains Nigeria’s most terror-stricken region, with four of its seven states ranking among the top five for kidnappings between July 2023 and June 2024.

According to a report by SBM Intelligence, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna lead in kidnapping incidents, with Sokoto trailing behind Abuja in fifth place.

In a statement released on Sunday, Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, said the federal government has mandated Mr Matawalle and the military chiefs to move to Sokoto State. The directive underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in the region.

“It is unclear how effective this strategy would be,” the statement noted, recalling a similar move by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered his military chiefs to relocate to Borno during the Boko Haram insurgency. While the military achieved some battlefield successes, Boko Haram remains active, spreading its influence to other northern states like Niger and Kogi.

Expressing deep concern over the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism, Mr Matawalle emphasized the need to flush out notorious terrorists like Bello Turji and his gang. “The federal government is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by banditry and terrorism in the North-west, particularly,” Mr Ogubike quoted the minister as saying.

Mr Matawalle cited a recent incident in Zamfara’s Zurmi Local Government Area, where bandits recorded a video of a Nigerian military armoured vehicle stuck in a waterlogged area, later celebrating the event. “This is not acceptable as President Bola Tinubu has been giving great support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he stressed.

The minister assured residents of Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, and the entire North-west region that security forces would leave no stone unturned in flushing out the bandits. “I will be on ground in the North-west with the CDS and other military chiefs, leading our brave men and women in uniform,” he declared, urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces.

“The time is up for these bandits and terrorists,” Mr Matawalle warned, adding that increased and consistent operations would weaken all their bases. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians, emphasizing that “the security and well-being of the people remain the government’s top priority.”