From Olukayode Idowu, Defence Correspondent
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai has solicited the support of traditional leaders in Zamfara State to combat activities of Armed Bandits and other forms of criminalities in the North West geo political zone.
Gen Buratai made the call when he paid a courtesy call to Sarkin Katsinan Gusau, the Emir of Gusau Alh Dr Ibrahim Bello in his Palace in Gusau the Zamfara State Capital on Thursday, 1 July 2020.
While applauding the Emir of Gusau for the warm reception, Buratai stated that he is in zamfara on operational tour of formations and units of 8 Division Nigerian Army to assess the level of their combat readiness in the reinvigorated efforts to combat banditry and associated insecurity in the zone.
He thus used the opportunity to pay a visit to the emir as a mark of respect and in furtherance of Nigerian Army’s excellent civil military relations. While at the palace, Gen Buratai informed the emir that the Nigerian Army is celebrating her 157 years of existence (Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020) and the commencement of Exercise SAHEL SANITY which is currently simultaneously ongoing in kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara States with an appreciable level of success.
He also solicited for the support of the traditional rulers in sensitizing their people to cooperate with the security agencies by providing the necessary information to help in containing the lingering security challenges in the region and the country at large.
In his remarks, the Emir thanks the COAS for the visit and promised to give all the necessary support to the Nigerian Army and other agencies where necessary in order for peace to reign in the zone.
At the occasion, prayer was offered for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and for the peace and security of Nigeria.