Insecurity: Buhari orders military operations against bandits, kidnappers in Katsina

TRACKING…As Air Force deploys Special Forces to Nasarawa

…Troops raid militants hideout in Rivers, recover cache of arms

President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the commencement of a major military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

He said: ”A major proactive operation by Special Forces, which details are being kept secret, is now in progress to replace the reactive strikes against insurgent camps.

”To give a full effect to the exercise, a planning team is already in the state selecting targets and making preparations for the execution of the “unprecedented” operation.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who has been measured in issuing official statements on the oncoming exercise, briefed the President on the plan he intends to flag off shortly.”

The presidential aide also quoted President Buhari to have expressed sadness over the recent attacks in the state, and extended his condolences to the families of those killed as well as prayed for the recovery of the injured.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Sunday deployed its Special Forces Operatives to Nasarawa to boost internal security in the State and the North-Central zone of the country.

The troops were deployed to tackle the emerging security challenges, such as banditry, cattle rustlings and farmers and herders clash in the zone.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who addressed the troops in Lafia, urged them to be professional in their conduct.

“I urged you to be professional and uphold the core NAF values of integrity, service before self and excellence in all you do,” he said.

Abubakar, who was represented by AVM Charles Ohwo, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, told the Special Forces that they were deployed to complement and add value to the already existing security apparatus on ground.

“You must cooperate with Operation Whirl Stroke. Your deployment not only for Lafia, but for the North -Central,” he said.

The air chief appreciated the Nasarawa government for the provision of the facility provided for the establishment of the 22 Quick Response Wing in Lafia.

Abubakar urged the government of Nasarawa to put in place a Refueling facilities to enable helicopters easy access for refueling as they advance for operations.

Speaking to newsmen, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the quick response to the security challenges of the state.

According to the governor, the response came just three days after he called for help from the Federal Government.

Sule gave the assurance that the state would support the troops to ensure that all forms of crimes were eliminated from the State.

In a related development, Nigerian troops on May 12 raided and destroyed an identified pirates/militants hideout in Arugbanama Community in Bonny Local Government Arwa of Rivers State, Defence Headquarters says.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Information, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, who disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, the troops were from the 146 Battalion deployed in Bonny Island in the state.

Enenche explained that the troops engaged the militants/pirates in exchange of gun fire leading to the killing of two of the criminals.

He added that there was recovery of one AK47 rifle and seven magazine, one pump action rifle, one pistol and magazine.

Others are one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 102 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, three rounds of 9mm ball ammunition and one live cartridge.

He said that one camouflage uniform, one head gear, one speed boat and four 85 Horse Power engines were also recovered during the operation.

Enenche further disclosed that troops of 3 Battalion on May 12, arrested a suspected criminal (name withheld) along Warri-Sapele Road in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State

He added that one AK 47 Rifle was recovered from the suspect during the encounter.

“The military high command congratulates the gallant troops for their resilience, courage and dedication to the noble cause of defending our fatherland against the criminal elements.

“While the general public is requested to continue to provide credible information to Armed Forces of Nigeria on criminality in their environment,” he said.