THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF DEFENCE PAYS OPERATIONAL VISITS TO TROOPS IN BIRNIN GWARI, COMMENDS THEIR RESILIENCE, REASSURED THEM OF PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO END INSECURITY IN THE AREA

By: Musa Adams

The Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), His Excellency Muhammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni visited the Headquarters, Sub Sector 3 Operation FASAN YAMMA (OPFY) in Birnin Gwari on 18 October 2024. The HMOD was led on the visit by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander Sector 1, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FASAN YAMMA (JTF OPFY) Major General Mayirenso Lander David Saraso in company of his staff officers.

The HMOD was received at the Sub Sector’s Headquarters with a befitting and well turned out quarter guard by troops and subsequently briefed on the operational activities of 1 Division/Sector 1 OPFY by the the Chief of Staff Sector 1 OPFY Brig Gen SS Shehu and later briefed on the operational activities of the Sub Sector 3 OPFY by the Sub Sector Commander, Lt Col A Abdulllahi. Both briefs enumerated the successes recorded by the Division in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and violent extremists within the Division/Sector’s Area of Operation while pointing out some challenges and a few setbacks.

Earlier, the GOC briefed the HMOD on Operation FASAN YAMMA which he said is an integration of the erstwhile Operation HADARIN DAJI in Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto as well as Zamfara States and Operation WHIRL PUNCH operating in Kaduna and Niger States for better efficiency. He added that the new operation has its Headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State while the Headquarters of Sector 1 is in Kaduna. He further added that the GOC 8 Division who was hitherto the Commander Operation HADARIN DAJI is now the Sector 2 Commander OPFY with Headquarters in Sokoto. The GOC further reassured the HMOD that the new arrangement would improve troops’ effectiveness and mount more pressure on the criminal elements.

In his remarks, the HMOD expressed satisfaction with the operational activities of the Division/Sector 1 OPFY and applauded the troops for the resilience and charged them to redouble their efforts to neutralised all the terrorists so as to completely free up the area for economic activities to thrive. While addressing the troops, the HMOD said “I thank you most sincerely for the good job you are all doing. For some time now, the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road has been relatively peaceful and security in Birnin Gwari has improved tremendously.

In the last 6 months, I have not heard of civilian commuters and motorists being ambushed on the road aside one or two cases where our troops had encounter attacked with the criminals along the road. On behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I commend you and assure you of the provision of all needed requirements to bring this fight to a lasting end”.

The HMOD also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II during which he remarked that he was in Birnin Gwari on an operational visit to the sub Sector Headquarters but thought it wise to visit the Emir and commend him for all the support he’s been giving to the troops.

He reassured the Emir of the President’s commitment to bringing a lasting end to the security situation in Birnin Gwari and environs. He also commended the good people of Birnin Gwari for their cooperation and urged them to continue to assist the troops with accurate and timely information to assist the troops in projecting offensives against the terrorists and insurgent groups.

HRH Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari thanked the HMOD for the visit and commended the GOC and his troops for the improved security situation in his domain. He applauded the President for his commitments to ending the security situation in Birnin Gwari and pleaded with him to assist in fixing the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road so as to open up Birnin Gwari for economic activities and assist in free flow of traffic.

The HMOD also visited Headquarters of the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force where he was also briefed before he addressed the Officers, Airmen and soldiers of the Command and the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Regiment at the Air Force Base in Kaduna. He commended the troops and urged them to also redouble their efforts in aid to the troops operation.

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF DEFENCE PAYS OPERATIONAL VISITS TO TROOPS IN BIRNIN GWARI, COMMENDS THEIR RESILIENCE, REASSURED THEM OF PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO END INSECURITY IN THE AREA