By ANGO DON BALLY, Kaduna
FOR the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Gwabin Musa, this weekend had been a flurry of engagements in his home state, Kaduna; it was the coming of a home boy.
His point of first call on Friday was the Sir Kashim Ibrahim (Government) House, Kaduna, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor, Senator Uba Sani where he vowed that the military will flush out bandits and terrorists from the country.
He stated that, the fight against insecurity needs the support of all Nigerians, as it will involve the Military, religious and traditional reasons as well as entire citizens, hence the need for support and prayers from all and sundry.
He said, “for terrorists and bandits, it’s just a matter of time. We are coming after them and we are going to get them to leave the country completely.”
According to him, “we are re-assessing our theatres of operation to make them more robust and more result oriented.”
He explained that the military is expanding its operation to close the gap while changing its mode of operation which would be both kinetic and non-kinetic.
“As military officers, we must take the two operations together, deploying more troops to close the gap in other to make it more difficult for terrorists to move about freely,” he noted.
General Musa who also appealed to everyone to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements, noted that everyone has a role to play in security.
He reiterated his commitment to peace and security in Kaduna State and across the country, stressing that with the strategic nature and the fact that Kaduna is regarded as home to all, he assured that the military will come out successful from all the security and economic challenges.
On his part, Governor Uba Sani who expressed joy while receiving the son of the soil back home, praised the CDS for his past performance as: Commandant, Nigeria Army Depot, Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, Commander, Infantry Corps, adding that with his experience and professional exploits, he will surely succeed in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.
While he renewed the state government’s appeal for the prolonged stay of the Special Forces in the ongoing campaign against banditry and terrorism. he also requested that Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna general area be expanded due to the challenges around Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Kauru and Sanga Local Government Areas (LGAs), stressing that such an expansion will go a long way in containing threats and consolidating ongoing efforts in those areas.
The Governor also noted that measures are required in the Birnin Gwari general area, to restrict bandits and terrorists from using the Kuduru, Kuyanbana and Kamuku forests as their hideouts, adding that there was also the need to further constrict the corridors connecting Birnin Gwari with neighboring States like Zamfara, Niger and Katsina, and stop criminals from using the corridors.
According to the Governor, “we have stepped up efforts towards inter-state collaboration in the fight against banditry and terrorism.”
Further more, Sani said he is in constant touch with his colleague Governors and strategies are being finetuned to deny criminal elements safe havens or hideouts in any of the neighbouring states in the North West or North Central.
Governor Sani assured that “the CDS can always count on our earnest prayers, sincere support and best wishes as you lead the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
There after, General Musa paid homage visit to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Nuhu Bamali at his palace in Zaria, where he sort for the cooperation, support and prayers of the royal father through the traditional institution so as to bring to an end, the threats of armed banditry, terrorism and all forms of criminalities in the country.
On Saturday, the CDS joined the Vice President, Senator Kahim Shettima who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Passing out Parade and Commissioning of Cadets of 70th Regular Course of Army, Navy, Air Force and Direct Short Service Course at the NDA, in Kaduna.
Over 200 cadets including those from sister African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger Republic, Chad and Uganda were among those that passed out from the Nigerian Defence Academy as junior military officers.
The last engagement of the CDS in Kaduna on Saturday was when he paid homage visit to the paramount ruler of Gbagyi Chiefdom, Sa-Gbagyi ll, His Highness Ishaku Yari.
Receiving the No1 Nigeria Military Officer at his palace, the Sa-Gbagyi who thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing a son of Kaduna to head the Nigerian military, said the professional achievements General Musa has recorded while serving his fatherland, in deed, earned him the exalted position.
While he prayed for the CDS for a successful tenure, he assured him of the traditional institution’s support to bring to an end, banditry and terrorism.
Responding, General Chris Musa assured the paramount ruler of the military’s cooperation, adding that “the Nigerian security counts on the support of the traditional institution to defeat the current insecurity challenges for sustainable peace and development to be achieved”.
Prayers were said for the CDS, the Nigerian armed forces for God’s intervention and guidance on how tackle the security challenges in the country and for government success in all ramifications.
The CDS ended up his two-day visit to Kaduna and returned to Abuja on Saturday to catch up with activities lineup to mark Nigeria’s 53rd lndependence Anniversary on Sunday, 1st October.
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