The Honourable Minister of State for Defence (HMOSD) Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle has commended the Nigerian Army over their recent efforts in operations around Tungar Mangwaro in Niger State on December 10, 2023 which led to the neutralization of over 30 armed Bandits amongst which were 2 notorious bandits, Ali Kawajo and Shehu Rakef.
Ali Kawajo was the mastermind behind the train bombing attack and kidnap of over 100 passengers in 2022 and also the recent kidnap of students of Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State.
Both Ali Kawajo and Shehu Rakef have also been behind most Bandit activities in Kaduna, Niger and Zamfara States general area and most especially along road Abuja – Kaduna axis.
The Minister particularly congratulated the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TA Lagbaja and the Nigerian Army in general for the major achievement and encouraged them “not to rest on their oars in their efforts in fighting insecurity in the country.”
