The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has commended the Nigerian military for neutralising and bringing an end to the reign of notorious terror kingpin, Boderi Isyaku and his cohorts in Kaduna State over the weekend.
The minister spoke through a Thursday statement signed by Director, Information and Public Relations of the ministry, Henshaw Ogubike.
The minister said that the notorious bandit, insurgent and ruthless killer was neutralised in a gun duel alongside some of his fighters, by troops of the Nigerian military around Bada/Riyawa general areas of Chikun and Igabi LGAs.
It could be recalled that Boderi and his cohorts have been terrorising Kaduna and its environs for a very long time before his fall to the military.
Boderi, as he was simply known, had for nearly a decade propagated a reign of fear, death and destruction in Kaduna State and neighboring Niger State.
According to the minister, a major breakthrough has been recorded in Nigeria’s fight against banditry and terrorism by his fall.
The minister described the action of the military as commendable, adding that the government of President Bola Tinubu is committed in providing adequate security in every part of the country.
Matawalle said that the bravery and professionalism of the Nigerian military involved was commendable and needed to be sustained to stem out insecurity from the country.
He charged other state actors to cooperate with the Federal Government in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s unflinching support and readiness to sustain cooperation towards eradicating terrorism in Nigeria.
Also speaking on the efforts of the Nigerian troops in general, the minister commended their efforts in the elimination of 286 terrorists and the arrest of 244 of them.
He disclosed that 73 crude oil smugglers were apprehended, and 122 kidnapped victims were rescued as at February 22, 2024.
Similarly, the minister pointed out that several air interdictions were carried out on terrorist hideouts which were all destroyed.
Matawalle enjoined Nigerians to support the Armed forces saying that Federal Government was doing everything possible within its reach to fight insecurity and restore the hope of Nigerians.