The Minister for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has charged residents of Sokoto State to report any jobless person living a flamboyant lifestyle in the society to security agents.
The minister while speaking at the Sokoto State Governors office said such persons if probed further may be part of informants to suspected bandits disturbing the peace of the state.
Matawalle, was in Sokoto together with Chief of Defence, General Christopher Musa, on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, to end banditry in the Northern part of the country.
He called on residents of the state to continue to support security agencies in the state in the provision of adequate information to the troops.
He said the security agents will rely on the information from residents of the state to tackle the rising case of insecurity.
“Like what we did while I was the governor of Zamfara State, let me call on the people of Sokoto State to always give information to the security agents.
“If you see someone who is not doing any work and such a person is changing cars, spending money lavishly, please do not hesitate to report such person, as such person is liable to be an informant to bandits.
” We are here to crush the bad elements in our midst and by the special grace of God, we are crushing the bad elements among us” he added.
He stated the military has provided every necessary support to all the security agencies in the state.
“We have also employed 200 persons from each of the 23 local governments into the service of Sokoto Community Guard Corps, to complement the job of the security team in the state.
“As you are aware, the issue of security is not for public consumption, so your Excellency, we are doing a lot,”
“I am sure with your coming today, the people of the state will sleep with their two eyes closed, having known that you are a man of your word”
He further assured that the state government will continue to support security agencies especially troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, to ensure that they deliver on their responsibility of securing the state.