By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
The Governor of Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has presented five brand new Hilux vehicles to the Government of Niger Republic for special border patrol purposes.
The DEFENDER reports that the vehicles presentation, on Friday, was in fulfillment of Governor Matawalle’s promise to support the Nigerien government with vehicles and other security logistics in fight against the menace caused by banditry along the border linking Nigeria from his own state’s end and the neighbouring country.
Details of this were contained in a statement made available to our Correspondent in Gusau by Press Secretary to the Governor of Zamfara State, Jamilu Iliyasu Birnin Magaji, on Saturday.
“The vehicles were presented yesterday (Friday) by Governor Bello Matawalle to the Governor of Maradi Region, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibou at a ceremony held at Government House, Gusau.
“Governor Bello Matawalle said his Administration decided to donate the vehicles to the Government of Niger Republic in order to provide special border patrol at Maradi and other parts of Niger Republic which share Borders with Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States.
“Matawalle requested for a regular meeting with the Nigerien Minister of Defence, the Governor of Maradi Region, himself as the Governor of Zamfara State as well as those of Sokoto and Katsina States so as to bring an end to the lingering security challenges facing the two countries, especially around the borders of Maradi Region,” Magaji said in the statement.
Responding, the Governor of Maradi Region, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibou thanked his Zamfara, Nigeria’s counterpart, Matawalle, the government and people of state for the gesture done to them, saying the vehicles would be utilised in the fight against banditry and other heinous crimes particularly along the Maradi border.
The Maradi governor, who was accompanied by his Commissioner of Police and other service commanders from Maradi Region, commended the efforts of Governor Bello Matawalle in the fight against banditry and in addressing the entire problem of insecurity affecting the two countries, especially along the borders of Maradi Region and North Western Nigeria.
He urged the Zamfara governor to continue with the good efforts of tackling insecurity by adopting new methods towards achieving sustainable continuity in the peace that is now beginning to be enjoyed in the region.
This online newspaper recalls that in December last year, Governor Bello Matawalle visited President Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic, where the two leaders discussed issues of insecurity, and resolved to explore more areas of support and cooperation between Niger Republic and Zamfara State in particular.
At the meeting, Governor Matawalle promised to donate five brand new Hilux vehicles to government of the neighbouring country for special border patrol.
Friday presentation ceremony in Gusau was attended by Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Commissioners of Information, Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara and DIG Mamman Tsafe (Rtd), Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba El-kana, and other heads of security agencies serving in Zamfara State.
