By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
Governor of Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has further consolidated his pursuit for peace as he once again paid a working visit to the President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoum, on how to further secure the country’s borders against activities of terrorists.
Governor Bello, along with his Jigawa and Kebbi states’ counterparts, Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Atiku Bagudu who were respectively represented, arrived the neighbouring country’s capital, Niamey, last Friday and they immediately held a preliminary closed door meeting with officials of that country.
Details of this were contained in a press release signed by the Special Adviser to the Zamfara State Governor, on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Mr. Zailani Bappa, issued in Gusau and copy lmade available to The DEFENDER Correspondent.
The team met with President Bazoum the following day, Saturday, when they held another four-hour closed door meeting in which all the issues surrounding cross-border crimes as it affects the two countries were thoroughly discussed.
Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle presented to the Nigerien President document for action on where his country is required to further assist in the common fight.
He assured the President of total commitment of the Governors of Nigerian states bordering Niger Republic and of their resolves to join hands with his country to fight and bring to an end the problem facing the North West people.
Responding, President Mohamed Bozoum assured the governors that his country was concerned about what was happening in Nigeria and aware of the role his country could and would play in the fight against the transit of illegal weapons Into Nigeria.
He said that his country would continue to support Nigeria in its effort to find a lasting peace especially against the menace of banditry and insurgency.
A special meeting was organised for the visiting governors with all the chancellors and security chiefs of the Republic of Niger, where the nitty-gritty of challenges that needed to be addressed were divulged.
The meeting, which lasted for several hours, is expected to enrich the blue-print for the comprehensive fight against the syndicate of arms trafficking.
The Nigerien President, thereafter, treated his visitors to some comforting cultural and sporting events, which are commonly shared by Nigerian and Nigerien people.
It will be recalled that Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle made a similar visit last month where he donated four Hilux vans to the security operatives of Niger Republic, to assist them in the patrol along Nigerien/Nigerian borders and fight the incursion of criminal elements the neighbouring country into Nigeria.
