The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has lauded the efforts of military troops in safeguarding Kaduna State, particularly the Kaduna/Birnin Gwari road, during his two-day operational visit to the area.
During the visit, he met with the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, and inspected various military formations, including the Headquarters Sub-Sector 3 Joint Task Force, Operation Fasan Yamma, and the 1 Division Area of Responsibility.
Minister Badaru praised the troops for their resilience and dedication, which have led to notable security improvements in Birnin Gwari. “In the last six months, we haven’t recorded any cases of kidnappings or civilian ambushes, aside from a few engagements with bandits,” he said.
He also conveyed the president’s appreciation, urging the troops to continue their fight against banditry and other criminal activities.
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The minister emphasised that his visit aimed to boost troops’ morale, assess operational capacity, and ensure continued strategic coordination to maintain peace and stability.
He encouraged the troops to stay committed, underscoring the importance of their work in fostering national development.
“Security is the foundation of growth, and your efforts are vital to Nigeria’s future. We must secure a peaceful nation for future generations,” he added.
Badaru also assured the emir of the president’s dedication to resolving the security challenges in Birnin Gwari and commended the local community for their cooperation with the military.
He called on them to continue providing timely and accurate information to aid security operations.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, briefed the minister on the integration of Operation Fasan Yamma, a combination of previous operations, including Operation Hadarin Daji in Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, and Operation Whirl Punch in Kaduna and Niger states.
The integration, with headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State, aims to enhance operational efficiency, he said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Birnin Gwari expressed gratitude to the minister for his visit and to the military for improving security in the area.
He also appealed to the government to rehabilitate the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road to facilitate economic activity and ease transportation in the area.
