Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has received a high powered Federal Government delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Muhammad Babagana Munguno (rtd) .
The Governor while briefing the the delegation on the security situation in the state pointed out that the consequences of operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara launched by the Nigeria Army in Zamfara had exposed Sokoto State to broad daylight attacks and kidnappings especially in parts of Isa ,Sabon Birni, Tangaza, Illela and several other local government areas of the state.
The Monguno’s team which include the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Maj. Gen. Samuel Adebayo, the Directors-General of the State Security Service and the National Intelligence Agency, Yusuf Maitama Bichi and Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar held a closed door meeting which lasted for hours at Government house Sokoto.
Tambuwal further told the delegation that: “Operation Hadarin Daji,” the precursor of the escalation of tension and crisis in Sokoto state “…was carried out without any blockage around the neighboring states, particularly Sokoto
” The timing of the operation, whereby, unfortunately, our security agents do not have enough equipment to move and contain those that would pander towards Sokoto state didn’t help the timing as well.
“the timing and way the operation was carried out left Sokoto very vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings.” Says the Governor.
“It appear those bandits pursued from Zamfara state have relocated to Sokoto state. This is a very serious concern,” he said,
” I am appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari “to deploy more troops and resources to Sokoto state to fight the criminals.
“There is 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,” he added.
Tambuwal said in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), he was fully aware of his counterparts commitment and support to the President in the fight against insecurity and other evils across the country.
“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. 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 own end despite the lean resources that we have as a state,” he said.