Two prominent northern groups, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN), have commended the Nigerian Army for killing terrorist kingpin, Halilu Buzu, and some of his fighters in Zamfara State.
NewsNGR reports that troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday killed a terrorist kingpin, known as Halilu Buzu and some of his fighters in Zamfara State.
Buzu was regarded as the boss of terrorist kingpin, Bello Turji, whom the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, vowed on Tuesday to capture soon.
In a post on X/Twitter on Friday, the Nigerian Army stated that the terrorist kingpin and his fighters fiercely resisted when confronted by the troops but were eventually overpowered.
“In a ferocious strike, troops in a deliberate and discreetly coordinated offensive have on Thursday, September 12, 2024, eliminated a terrorist kingpin, infamously known as Halilu Buzu and a good number of his fighters in Mayanchi village,” it said.
A development the two northern groups applauded, describing the neutralisation of Buzu, a foreign national involved in cattle rustling and illegal gold mining in Zamfara State, as a significant milestone in the fight against banditry.
They also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for their efforts in combating banditry in the North-West region.
In a statement in Kaduna on Friday, AYCF President General, Yerima Shettima, noted that the recent military engagement with bandits has shown a newfound tenacity, departing from previous operations.
“The recent military engagement with bandits has shown a newfound tenacity, resulting in the displacement of bandit elements and a renewed commitment to restoring peace and security,” he said.
He urged the troops to maintain the momentum and ensure the total eradication and capture of all criminal elements in the region.
Shettima emphasised the need for a holistic approach, combining military action with socio-economic development and community engagement, to achieve sustainable peace in the region.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for mandating Minister Matawalle to lead the intensified military efforts, resulting in the displacement of bandit elements and a renewed commitment to restoring peace and security.
The AYCF boss expressed confidence in Minister Matawalle’s ability to guide the military to victory against banditry and pledged support for initiatives fostering dialogue, peace, and development within communities.
In a related development, Salihu Suleiman, Chairman of NAN, noted that the recent military operations have demonstrated effectiveness in incapacitating bandit elements, leading to a decline in criminal activities.
He commended the bravery and resolve of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, in the fight against banditry in the North-West region.
“The bravery and resolve of the troops under Minister Matawalle’s leadership have initiated a significant turning tide in the battle against banditry. We applaud the swift action taken by Minister Matawalle and the gallant troops,” he added.
Specifically, he commended the neutralization of Buzu, involved in cattle rustling and illegal gold mining in Zamfara State, describing the feat as a significant milestone in the fight against banditry.
The NAN boss called for public support and collaboration in the collective effort to restore peace and stability, emphasizing the importance of intelligence-sharing efforts to fortify recent gains.
“The collaboration of citizens is paramount in the collective endeavour to restore peace and stability within our communities. The resilience of the Nigerian populace and their participation in intelligence-sharing efforts will serve to fortify the recent gains achieved by our military forces,” Suleiman added.