Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali has suggested the establishment of a joint task force operation similar to “Operation Safe Haven” in Jos, to tackle the menace of armed banditry and cattle rustling in Zamfara and Kaduna states.

Dan-Ali made the suggestion at the Security Council meeting in Presidential villa in Abuja, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, which comprised service chiefs and other head of agencies, to deliberate on prevailing security situation in the country.

Dan-Ali said the upsurge in incidents of security concern in Zamfara was quite disturbing and called for more robust approach to tackling the threat.

“The situation is characterised with killings and kidnappings by armed bandits and criminal elements predominantly in Anka, Maru, Kaura Namoda and Talata Mafara local government areas of the state.

Dan-Ali also suggested the need to employ other channels with the affected states to reduce tension by “suspending the implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law while also negotiating safe routes for the herders”.

He called on the police and DSS to urgently prosecute all suspects arrested in the states.

He also called for the establishment of a National Commission on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.

He drew the attention of the council to the incessant killings and kidnappings by armed bandits and criminal activities across the North-West, saying it was becoming alarming and worrisome.

The minister also noted that the Abuja-Kaduna expressway was a source of concern as there were still incidences of kidnappings.

He, however, said the incidents of herdsmen/farmers clashes in Benue and Taraba had reduced, while militancy, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft had also witnessed a drop in the Niger Delta region.