Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, presented 200 Toyota Hilux vehicles to security agencies in the state to beef up their combat readiness. Matawalle, during the presentation on Tuesday in Gusau, said that the vehicles would significantly address the problems of logistics faced by security agents operating at various theatres across the state. He also announced the introduction of monthly standing imprest to the security agencies, provision of office and housing accommodation to military personnel as well as the provision of silent falcon drones. The governor added that surveillance and security gadgets would be supplied to the agencies while vehicles and fighting equipment of security agencies in the state would be repaired. Marawalle also pledged to engage in joint security collaboration with neighbouring states. “The combat readiness in fighting banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling, as well as efficiency for real-time monitoring of security situations in our dear state will be considerably enhanced. “Despite the enormous gains made by this administration in restoring peace in the state within the past one year, the battle to be free from the menace of banditry and other related crimes is yet to be won. “The state is still facing an onslaught from pockets of unrepentant bandits and other bandits infiltrating communities from other states,” Matawalle said. The governor pledged to collaborate with Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, and Katsina States to block porous borders and impede infiltration of miscreants or armed bandits into the state. Receiving the donations on behalf of all the security agencies, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, described the donation as strategic leadership policy. Buratai, represented by Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, thanked the governor for the gesture. The COAS promised not to leave any stone unturned in the fight against bandits in the state. Earlier, the State Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Dauran, said the vehicles were meant to enhance the performance and professional efficiency of the security agencies especially in decimating bandits in the state. Also, Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Usman Nagogo, urged the beneficiaries not to misuse the facilities. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries of the 200 vehicles included the Police, Army, Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Correctional Service. Others are Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Joint Task Force of Operation Hadarin Daji, Hisbah Commission, Zamfara Road Traffic Agency (ZAROTA) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Sokoto Zone.
