Bello Matawalle, the Minister of Defence, has urged Sokoto State residents to report any jobless individual living a showy lifestyle to security officials.
The minister, addressing the Sokoto State Governor’s office, stated that such individuals, if investigated further, could be informants to suspected bandits threatening the state’s peace.
Matawalle was in Sokoto alongside Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, following President Bola Tinubu’s command to put an end to banditry in the country’s north.
He urged inhabitants of the state to continue to support security services in providing proper information to troops.
He stated that security officers will rely on information from citizens of the state to combat the escalating level of insecurity.
“Like what we did while I was the governor of Zamfara State, let me call on the people of Sokoto State to always give information to the security agents.
“If you see someone who is not doing any work and such a person is changing cars and spending money lavishly, please do not hesitate to report such person, as such person is liable to be an informant to bandits.
”We are here to crush the bad elements in our midst, and by the special grace of God, we are crushing the bad elements among us,” he added.
He disclosed that the military has provided every necessary support to all the security agencies in the state.
“We have also employed 200 persons from each of the 23 local governments into the service of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps to complement the job of the security team in the state.
“As you are aware, the issue of security is not for public consumption, so your Excellency, we are doing a lot.”
“I am sure with your coming today, the people of the state will sleep with their two eyes closed, having known that you are a man of your word.”
He also stated that the state government will continue to support security agencies, particularly troops from Operation Hadarin Daji, to ensure that they fulfil their job of securing the state.
