Defence minister Christopher Musa has charged troops of Operation Fansan Yamma to sustain pressure on bandits and terrorists in Zamfara.

Mr Musa issued the directive during an operational assessment visit to the operation’s headquarters in Gusau on Wednesday.

On arriving in the state, the minister inaugurated armoured personnel carriers and the new armoury at the Gusau Government House.

The APCs and the armoury were procured by the Zamfara government.

Addressing the troops at the headquarters of the joint task force in Gusau, the minister commended their resilience and urged them not to let bandits rest.

Mr Musa said the visit was aimed at reviewing the security situation, evaluating the effectiveness of current operations and strengthening cooperation with other security agencies.

“I charge you to discharge your responsibilities with the highest sense of duty and integrity. I also urge you to utilise the facilities strictly for lawful purposes in furtherance of your constitutional mandate to protect lives and property.

“As army personnel, you should uphold the highest standards of operational discipline and respect for human rights”, Mr Musa explained.

The defence minister added, “Ultimately, your conduct in the field will determine whether these investments translate into sustainable security gains and strengthened public confidence in our institutions.”

The minister assured Zamfara residents that governments at all levels were taking deliberate and coordinated steps to improve security outcomes.

“Timely information, responsible engagement and respect for lawful authority strengthen our collective capacity to protect lives, secure communities and preserve the stability upon which development depends,” Mr Musa added.

(NAN)