200 bandits killed in Katsina, 35 terrorists in Borno- Enenche
Insurgency in the country has been on a rise and this has in many ways led to different insecurities ranging the book-haram issues, banditry amongst others and the Federal Government and other arms of government have all involved in the fight against these insurgencies.
Though despite all attempts to curb these issues, it has rather been on an up rise that has left the government no choice but to further intensify their approach as regarding the case. Since the inception of these insurgencies many lives and properties have been lost to it and communities are on a constant attack that seem to endanger more lives on a daily basis.
Just as the government intensifies its attacks so does the insurgent groups. Due to the worrisome attacks on the innocent and unarmed citizens in the most focused regions in the country by the terrorist groups, the Chadian troops had to intervene in this fight.
Recently, the Chadian President had to join his troops who launched an attack that led to the death of many book-haram troops, who invaded its border and this attack was launched in a bid to safeguard its border against intrusion by the book-haram. Though a joint taskforce was setup between Nigerian Army, the Chadian Army to embark on joint fight against the insurgent groups.
But we are hopeful that the joint taskforce and the Nigerian Army will continue to have more victory over all the insurgencies in the country.
Though the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Sunday said that the air component of its Operation Hadarin Daji has neutralized about 200 armed bandits in Katsina State.
It also said that no fewer than 35 fighters of the Boko Haram terrorist (BHT) group and the Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed by troops of the Nigerian military at different encounters in Borno State.
The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (CDMO), Major General John Enenche, disclosed in an operation update released in Abuja, said that the bandits were neutralized in a multiple air strikes by troops.
General Enenche also said that the mission was in continuation of the offensive attack to rid the North West of the country of armed bandits and other criminal elements who daily pose threats to the unarmed Nigerian Citizens.
Enenche said: “The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji has neutralised close to 200 armed bandits in multiple air strikes conducted at Ibrahim Mai’Bai’s Camp in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State and Kurmin Kura in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State on May 22 and 23, 2020.
“The air strikes were executed after series of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions led to the confirmation that the two locations were being used as hideouts for some notorious armed bandit leaders whilst also serving as collection points for rustled cattle.
“Accordingly, air component, employing Nigerian Air Force ground attack aircraft and helicopter gunships, engaged the two locations in multiple passes, destroying the makeshift structures in the camps as well as killing the bandit leaders and their fighters.
“Human intelligence (HUMINT) sources later confirmed that close to 200 armed bandits were killed in the air strikes at the target locations.”
Enenche also commended the troops for their professionalism, while the military high command directed them to remain resolute towards eradicating all armed bandits thus achieving the directives of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central zones of the country.
He also added that; no fewer than 35 fighters of the Boko Haram terrorists (BHT) group and the Islamic States of the West Africa Province (ISWAP) have been killed by troops of the Nigerian military at different encounters in Borno State.
This was contained in an operation update released on Sunday by the military high command in Abuja.
Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations (CDMO), said in the update that the terrorists were neutralized by different teams of the ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in their determination to rid the North East of terrorism.
General Enenche said in continuation of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’, a subsidiary of Operation Kantana Jimlan troops of Army Super Camp 6 and 7, conducted a long range fighting patrol on May 11, 2020 and cleared Adzunge and adjoining villages.
We also know that there has been a call for community policing which was viewed as an approach that would lead to stability in communities but the South East Governors’ Forum has expressed dismay that the Inspector General of Police allegedly reneged on its agreements on practice and composition for establishment of community policing in the zone.
We pray for the best for the Nigerian Army.
By: Ayooluwa Joshua