The federal government is to establish three military formations in Sokoto to support military operations in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality.

Junior defence minister Bello Matawalle disclosed this on Thursday when he led military personnel to reopen the Marnona-Gundumi-Isa road closed eight years ago.

He interacted with members of different communities in Isa, Sabon Birni and Goronyo local government areas.

The reopened roads were abandoned due to security challenges and the successes were part of the achievements in the ongoing operations in the North-West.

He explained that he was in Sokoto for the second time to lead another onslaught against bandits, terrorists and other criminals in North-West states.

“As directed by President Bola Tinubu, I am back in Sokoto state to coordinate this assignment of flushing all bandits and other criminals. We have recorded successes. Our troops killed notorious gang leaders and group members in different places. Relative peace has so far been restored specifically in Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina states.

“I am optimistic that our gallant troops will sustain the strides and continue to record success through the operation which is ongoing in the fight against these criminals,” Mr Matawalle said.

He underscored the importance of collaboration with the federal government in the fight in order to achieve the targeted goals.

”We must collaborate together to bring these bandits down through use of kinetic and non-kinetic methods to crush them entirely. We are calling for support from our governors, religious, political and community leaders toward achieving the desired success on the task ahead,” he said.

While he visited some deserted settlements, the Minister called residents to return as the government is fully committed to safeguarding their lives and properties.

He warned the residents against acting as informants to bandits, which he described as the same crime, and aided banditry to continue stressing that all informants caught would be dealt with accordingly.

(NAN)