I will hit hard on sponsors of banditry ― Matawalle

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has declared a total war against any person or group that may be sponsoring or aiding bandits in the state.

The governor made the declaration on Thursday when he received the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, who was on an official visit.

A statement issued by the Director General, Media and Communication, Yusuf Idris Gusau, said Matawalle expressed worry over the actions of some mischief makers in the state who spread false information, making heroes of the criminal elements.

He said his administration would no longer treat such blood-thirsty individuals with kid gloves, warning them to either stop or await the consequences that would follow their evil acts.

According to him, the state government in collaboration with security agents has effectively been using kinetic and non-kinetic approach in addressing security issues but that with the realization of the increasing criminal intents of those aiding the bandits, the government is left with no other option than to appropriately hit hard at such persons in order to put a complete stop to their nefarious acts.

He said with the provision of CH-4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) by the Federal Government, the state government would employ new tactical approach in the fight against the bandits and expressed confidence that the new measure would bring a lasting solution to the menace of armed banditry in the region.

Earlier, the Chief of Air Staff had informed the governor that he was in the state to assess facilities at the 207 Quick Response Unit of the Nigeria Air Force, Gusau with a view to commencing the deployment of additional air assets to Gusau as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said four UAV would very soon be moved to the state in order to closely monitor all activities of bandits as well as identify their camps and other hideouts.

The Air Force boss informed the governor that this was the first time in the history of the Nigerian Air Force to acquire such high technology CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicle.