By Elizabeth Okwe
…

The Military High Command, on Thursday, says it has deployed special forces to key hotspots in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighboring Niger State to tackle the activities of the terrorists and kidnappers.

This deployment comes in response to a concerning surge in insecurity in these areas, including kidnappings and clashes between warring factions in Plateau states.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, while briefing newsmen on the operation of the military, in Abuja.

Maj Gen Buba disclosed that the targeted locations within the FCT include Cashew Forest, Kwaku, and Gadoro in Kuje Area Council, as well as Kawu, Igu, Tokulo, and Gaba in Bwari Area Council.

He said in Niger State, the special forces will focus on Gauraka, Apo Forest, Gyedna/Sabon Wusa, and Garam in Tafa Local Government Area while in Nasarawa state, troops covered Numan and Basa in Akwanga and Nasarawa LGAs respectively.

Buba said this deployment is part of a broader strategy by the military to address the security challenges across the country.

He said the military is redoubling it efforts to ensure citizens live in a peaceful environment and have prosperous life.

“The armed forces would destroy the cancer of terrorism that is ravaging our country thereby creating situations such as is ongoing in the Plateau State. The situation of insecurity that we are confronted with is self inflicted by own citizens upon one another. Nevertheless, It is our duty to protect citizens and create a safe environment for them to have a prosperous future.

“We do not take lightly of the privilege and enormous responsibility of safeguarding our citizens. It is for this reason that,we constantly rejig our operational strategies in order to adopt a the best course of action that would make these ugly experiences a thing of the past.

“Accordingly , we have deployed special forces to some of the hotspots in order to conduct targeted operations. We have also deployed several battlefield enablers to enhance intelligence and strike capability on these terrorists. We are encouraging the warring fractions to shield their swords.

Giving account on the North Central region, Buba said, the tension broke out in MANGU in the early hours of 23 Jan 24. The situation escalated and resulted in break down of law and order in MANGU Town and adjoining communities.

“The crisis which started from GANGARAN KWATA escalated to other parts of MANGU LGA despite concerted efforts by troops deployed to the general area to restore normalcy.

Buba however disclosed that in the week under review, Nigerian troops neutralized 94 criminals, arrested 214 (including 43 oil thieves), and rescued 29 hostages. They also prevented oil theft worth 485.9 million naira.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 168 assorted weapons and 2,757 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one GPMG, 85 AK47 rifles, one Vektor R4 rifle, one G3 rifle, 10 pump action guns, 12 locally fabricated guns, 6 locally made pistols, 21 dane gun, one double barrel gun, one fabricated revolver rifle, 2 x 36 hand grenades and one fabricated dane gun.

“Others are: 290 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 115 rounds of 5.66mm ammo, 29 rounds of PKT ammo, 10 rounds of 9mm ammo, 297 cartridges, 21 magazines, 14 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones, 2 baofeng radios and the sum of N2,594,000.00 amongst other items.

Speaking further, he revealed that troops in the Niger Delta raided illegal oil refineries, destroying 16 pits, 51 boats, 49 tanks, and 3 vehicles. They also seized equipment such as cooking ovens, pumps machines and confiscated stolen oil (363,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 198,315 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,200 liters of PMS.

He, however, urged the public to play their part in the fight against insecurity by providing information about suspicious activities and individuals.

“Everyone should understand that the terrorist and their cohorts exist for the sake of war, therefore, for the sake of peace, they must be eliminated”, he said.