Defence Minister Gen Musa Praises Zamfara Governor for Boosting Troop Safety with Armoured Vehicles, Drones

By Tgnews Reporter

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has commended Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for his administration’s significant support to security forces in the fight against banditry and insecurity.

The commendation came during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Government House in Gusau, where Governor Lawal handed over 25 sophisticated Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other operational equipment to troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

General Musa highlighted the procurement as a clear demonstration of the governor’s commitment to public safety and troop welfare. He noted that providing such advanced assets sends a strong message to criminals and reflects a resolve to protect lives and property across the state.

The newly commissioned equipment includes an 80-metre endurance surveillance drone capable of covering up to 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This enhances reconnaissance, real-time situational awareness, terrain assessment, and better coordination between command centres and field units.

Governor Lawal explained that the handover forms part of structured security reforms under his administration’s “Rescue Mission.” He emphasized moving from fragmented responses to coordinated efforts, supported by the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund for predictable logistical backing.

Previous contributions by the state include 150 Hilux operational vehicles, 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (10 armoured and 10 soft-body), over 600 specialised motorcycles, and support for Community Protection Guards.

The governor stressed the importance of intelligence-guided deployment, strict maintenance, and operational discipline to ensure long-term effectiveness of the assets. He reaffirmed the state’s dedication to collaborating with federal security agencies to restore peace, enable farming activities, and revive economic life in Zamfara.

The event underscores growing synergy between federal and state governments in tackling insecurity in the North-West region.