By ISHAQ ZAKI

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has charged troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) to sustain pressure on bandits and terrorists in Zamfara.

Musa gave the directive during an operational assessment visit to the headquarters of the operation in Gusau on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on arriving the state, the minister inaugurated Armoured Personnel Carriers and the new Armoury at the Gusau Government House.

The armoured personnel carriers and the armoury were procured by the Zamfara Government.

Addressing the troops at the Headquarters of Joint Taskforce, Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) Gusau, the minister commended their resilience and urged them not to allow bandits to relax.

Musa said the visit was aimed at reviewing the security situation, evaluating the effectiveness of current operations and strengthening cooperation with other security agencies.

“I charge you to discharge your responsibilities with the highest sense of duty and integrity.

“I also urge you to utilise the facilities strictly for lawful purposes in furtherance of your constitutional mandate to protect lives and property.

“As Army personnel, you should uphold the highest standards of operational discipline and respect for human rights”, he explained.

He further said, “Ultimately, your conduct in the field will determine whether these investments translate into sustainable security gains and strengthened public confidence in our institutions.”

The minister assured the good people of Zamfara that governments at all levels were taking deliberate and coordinated steps to improve security outcomes.

“However, it is equally important to recognise that security is a shared responsibility.

“Community cooperation through credible information sharing and collective vigilance is indispensable in preventing crime, disrupting criminal networks and sustaining peace.

“There is no doubt that when citizens and security agencies work together in trust and mutual confidence, operational effectiveness increases significantly.

“Timely information, responsible engagement and respect for lawful authority strengthen our collective capacity to protect lives, secure communities and preserve the stability upon which development depends,” Musa added.

The minister appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support to national security institutions and for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the security architecture across the federation (NAN)

•Minister of Defence, Gen. Musa (retd), during an operational assessment visit to the headquarters of the operation in Gusau on Wednesday.