In his determination to continue exploring ways to a lasting security, Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun) has hosted the Prime Minister of Niger, Mr Brigi Refini.
In a statement on Thursday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, said the meeting was also a prelude to the establishment of a powerful synergy to fight the criminals in a unified direction.
The Prime Minister was received by Governor Matawalle at the Council Chambers in Gusau where he expressed his excitement at the new found International discourse to end cross-border criminality as it affects the two countries.
Mr Refini said that banditry and terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria, but his country is facing the same from multiple fronts.
He disclosed that internal strife in the kind of banditry and criminality are not new in Niger, especially from Boko Haram and the insurgency from Mali border down to Burkina Faso.
He said that the efforts of Governor Matawalle was a commendable one and that such co-operation will bring new ideas and understanding on how to collectively end these criminality.
In his remarks, Governor Bello Mohammed said he was glad from the kind of response he gets from the Prime Minister in spite of his tight schedules to visit Zamfara
“when I told President Muhammadu Buhari of your coming, he was very much elated and extends his goodwill to you. He has also asked me to call on you to continue assisting in ending the menace of criminality in our two countries”, Matawalle revealed .
Governor Matwalle also extended the request of the Inspector-General of Police, Abdullahi Adamu to the Prime Minister in the area of blocking the transit of weapons into the country.
“We are aware that due to the pressure on those who smuggle weapons into Nigeria on vehicles, they have now resorted to the use of camels.
“I have decided to assist with five vans for surveillance in addition to drones we have already given to the border security of Niger”, Matawalle stated.
