By HAMISU DANJIBGA, Gusau

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian Army to immediately end the devastating banditry and insurgency bedevilling the Northern part of the country.

The President gave the directive at the Nigerian Army Honours and Award Ceremony and the presentation of “Compendium of Nigerian Army Transformation – The Buratai Years 2015- 2020,” held at Faskari Army Special Super Camp in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Retired Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, the President said, the Nigerian government will provide the needful resources to secure the country from both internal and external aggression by giving all the necessary support and logistics to the Nigerian Military to restore peace in the country.

In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai said, the Nigerian Army under his leadership has introduced ‘Exercise Sahel Sanity Operation’ with a view to mitigate banditry in the Northwest which will cover Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, kebbi and Zamfara States.

Voice of Nigeria Correspondent in Gusau, reports that 15 Soldiers were given an award of selfless service, excellence and dedication to duty by the COAS including one Private Isah Umar who was given the sum of N500,000 reward for rescuing 27 school children in Sabon when fire razed their school bus, on their way to school recently. (VON)