Matawalle seeks to establish ties with Niger Republic to end banditry in North West

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has petitioned the Niger Republic Corporation to put an end to banditry in the North West.

This is according to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Jamilu Iliyasu Birnin-Magaji, in Gusau.

Matawall resolved to explore additional areas of support and cooperation after meeting with President Mohamed Bazoun of the Republic of Niger.

Both leaders discussed security issues, particularly kidnapping, cattle rustling, and banditry in the Maradi region and parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states.

Matawalle briefed the Nigerien president on the Zamfara government’s efforts to put an end to all forms of criminal activity in the region.

He stated that the state government is carrying out a peace initiative and reconciliation process.

“The state government is supplying intelligence to security agencies on how to best track down informants of armed bandits and their collaborators,” he said.

Matawalle promised to donate five brand new Hilux vehicles to the Niger Republic government for special border patrols in Maradi and other parts of the country bordered by Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto.

He stated that the vehicles would be handed over to the Governor of the Maradi region at a later ceremony with Bazoum’s approval.

Matawalle requested a regular security meeting between the Nigerien Minister of Defense and the Governors of Maradi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto.

He explained that the goal was to put an end to the two countries’ lingering security challenges.

Bazoum responded by thanking Matawalle for his visit and the efforts he had made to end the insecurity that afflicted the two countries, particularly at the Maradi and North West Region borders.

Bazoum urged the governor to continue efforts to address insecurity in Zamfara by introducing new approaches to restoring peace in the region.

He promised to assist the Zamfara government in combating insecurity.

Bazoum, on the other hand, asked Nigerian governors in the North West region to prohibit the importation of motorcycles.

Niger’s Ministers of Defence and Internal Affairs, as well as Bazoum’s Chief of Staff, Service Chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police, were present at the meeting.