By The Coalition of 774 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has praised President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, for their efforts in strengthening security in Nigeria’s North-West region.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the coalition’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Usman Goronyo, credited the reduction in banditry and kidnappings to the strategic leadership of Matawalle, General Musa, and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. He highlighted that their initiatives had significantly weakened criminal groups in the region.
The coalition pointed to Matawalle’s military operations in Sokoto last year, executed under President Tinubu’s mandate, as a decisive moment in the fight against insecurity. Among the successes was the elimination of several notorious bandits, including the infamous kidnapper Alhaji Halilu Sububu.
“We commend Minister Matawalle for his commitment and effective leadership in tackling insecurity,” Goronyo said. “President Tinubu deserves recognition for entrusting him with this crucial responsibility.” The statement also noted that many communities have since resumed normal life, with farming and trade activities picking up due to improved security.
The group credited the military’s Operation Fansa Yamma for dismantling key bandit enclaves and ensuring safer travel on major routes, including Zaria to Sokoto and Abuja to Kano. However, they acknowledged that some areas, particularly in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna, still face security challenges.
The coalition urged the Federal Government to boost military funding and provide more logistical support to sustain the progress. “The protection of citizens and their property remains paramount, and we implore security agencies to persist in their commendable efforts,” the statement concluded.
