By Ishaq Zaki
The Zamfara government has donated five new Hilux vehicles to the Government of Niger Republic for special security border patrol.
This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday and signed by the Press Secretary to Gov. Bello Matawalle, Jamilu Birnin-Magaji.
Birnin-Magaji said the donation of the vehicles was in fulfillment of an earlier pledge made by the governor to support the Government of Niger Republic with vehicles and other security logistics in the fight against banditry.
“The vehicles were presented by Gov. Matawalle to the Governor of Maradi Region, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibou, at a ceremony held at Government House, Gusau.
“Matawalle, at the ceremony, said his administration decided to donate the vehicles to the Government of Niger Republic in order to provide special border patrol at Maradi and other parts of Niger Republic which share borders with Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States.
“The governor requested for a regular meeting with the Nigerien Minister of Defence, the Governor of Maradi Region, and the governors of three Nigerian states – Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina – toward tackling lingering security challenges around the borders of Maradi Region.
“Responding, the Governor Maradi Region, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibou, thanked Matawalle and Zamfara Government for the gesture done them.
“Shua’ibou assured Matawalle that the vehicles will be used in the fight against banditry and other henious crimes particularly along the Maradi border.
“He commended the efforts of Matawalle in the fight against banditry and in addressing the entire problem of insecurity affecting the two countries, especially along the borders of Maradi Region and North Western Nigeria.”
The statement quoted the governor of Maradi as urging Matawalle to sustain the efforts to end insecurity to consolidate on the peace currently being enjoyed in the region.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in December 2021, Gov. Bello Matawalle visited President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic in Niamey where the two leaders resolved to explore more areas of cooperation.
(NAN)
