Nigeria troops neutralised 158 criminal elements across the country from January 1 to date, Blueprint reports.
Of this figure, the North-west topped with 118 bandits and related criminals.
Similarly, about 52 others were arrested with scores of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered and 17 kidnap victims also rescued within the same period.
The revelation came as the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) brokered peace in the controversy generated by the quit notice issued to herders in Ondo state forest reserves.
Announcing the feats recorded by the armed forces in the first 25 days of 2021 at a press briefing in Abuja Monday, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said the troops deserved commendation and not condemnation.
He said: “Since the beginning of this year, which is barely three weeks’ old, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralized 158 criminal elements across the country. This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes. Some 52 criminal elements were arrested, with scores of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered.
“Troops have also rescued a total of 17 kidnapped victims across the country. In addition, a total of 684,856 barrels of stolen crude oil, 1,724,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) have been recovered.
“Furthermore, a total of 1,184 of 25kg bags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer were impounded by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Please note that in addition to the numbers of neutralized criminal elements quoted above, many others were incapacitated and their camps destroyed.”
The minister said the successes recorded by the security and intelligence agencies never came cheap, but “as a result of the unrelenting efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers and men of the military as well as other security and intelligence agencies that conduct operations across the country.
“Even though some of the troops paid the supreme price in the course of the operations, the security and intelligence forces have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”
Breakdown in zones
Giving a breakdown on geo-political basis, the minister said: “In the North-West, 118 armed bandits were killed in action and a total of 11 kidnapped victims were rescued since the beginning of the year. During the same period, a cumulative total of 358 livestock and 5 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by the gallant troops in the zone. In the same vein, a total of 11 arrests were made, and those arrested include high profile armed bandits, gunrunners and bandits’ collaborators.
“In the North-East, within the period under review, 30 terrorists, including some of their commanders, were killed by troops, apart from the scores who were killed by air raids/attacks. Several gun trucks were captured in addition to the 13 recently captured at Marte in Borno State, while some others were destroyed by the gallant troops. Also, a total of 13 assorted rifles and 2 Anti-Aircraft guns were recovered from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, in addition, several arrests were made – including high value targets – within the period.”
“Now, during the past week alone, five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were eliminated by troops as they attempted to overrun Abbagajiri and Dusula towns in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
“The troops, from the 402 Special Forces Task Force Brigade, had on Wednesday encircled some terrorists’ enclaves at Abbagajiri and inflicted heavy casualties on them. Apart from the 5 who were killed, many other terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, while the troops also captured several guns and some Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials, among others,” Mohammed said.
He further said: “In the North-Central, within the period, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and THUNDER STRIKE have also achieved appreciable successes. A total of 6 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 5 armed bandits, including militia gang leaders, were killed in action. Equally, 11 armed bandits were arrested in the zone.
“Only on Saturday, the Air Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE neutralized several armed bandits at Chikwale Forest in the Mangoro area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating the significant presence of armed bandits in the area, which is about 20Km West of the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.
“In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted anti-crude-oil theft and illegal-oil-bunkering operations, in addition to anti-illegal-maritime activities. In the course of their operational activities, 24 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 142 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens were destroyed. Also, 30 suspects were arrested while 14 pumping machines, 13 speed boats and13 outboard engines were recovered. Additionally, a total of 684,856barrels of stolen crude oil and 1,724,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) as well as 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were recovered. Furthermore, a total of 1,184 of 25kgbags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer suspected to have been smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon were impounded.
“Similarly, in the South-West, troops of Operation AWATSE destroyed several illegal refining sites and arrested 8 boats engaged in illegal activities.”
On Nasarawa
On the recent report credited to Nasarawa state Governor Abdullahi Sule that Boko Haram elements were regrouping in the state, the minister debunked same, saying the governor was misquoted by the media.
“The governor was comparing the activities of bandits operating in the state with the terrorists and called on the federal government to assist in flushing out the miscreants, which the media quoted out of context,” Mohammed said.
The minister was in company of his Interior counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
NGF on quit notice
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has intervened in the quit notice issued to herders operating in Ondo state forest reserve.
The seven-day ultimatum by Ondo state Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), which expired Monday, had generated some mixed reactions from major stakeholders who either tried to justify or condemn the action.
But at a meeting between the Ekiti state Governor Kayode Fayemi-led NGF and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders, Monday, stakeholders agreed on a wide range of resolutions as a way out of the quagmire.
The meeting held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (DOME), Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo state capital.
In attendance were NGF Chair Fayemi, Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Mohammed Badaru (Jigawa) and host Governor Akeredolu.
The resolves
After a rigorous 3-hour dialogue, the meeting, in a communiqué, agreed that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria was the primary purpose of government as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.
The communiqué noted that the stakeholders were committed to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria, and that “insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must be addressed by the cooperation of all.”
The governors observed that the order by Governor Akeredolu was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media.
“He only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit,” they said.
While it was agreed that criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status, the communiqué said “security agencies have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country but must step up their efforts in the fight.”
It further called for the need to “build partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wage war against criminality.”
The communiqué further stated that no one sent anyone away from any state or region, but that all hands must be on deck to fight criminality.
“That MACBAN is a peace loving, law abiding organization, which does not habour or condone criminals and agreed that: night grazing should be banned henceforth; under age herding is inimical to security and hence be banned; occupation of State Forest Reserves illegally is condemned; and that MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thus desire peaceful coexistence,” the communiqué also stated.
It noted that “MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security;” adding that “fake news is another issue that makes our security worse than solving it.
“There must be an enduring framework with MACBAN in a way that will help address security issues. That free range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between the farmers and the herders; strengthening an alternative security arrangements and make them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria.”
The governors agreed that “MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.
“Standing Committee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the Government should be set up in each state (where they don’t exist) to ensure synergy and result. We must create economic opportunities for our people and reduce opportunities for criminalities in our country.”
Akeredolu insists on due registration
In his contribution at the meeting, Governor Akeredolu insisted that those occupying the forests across the state must be properly identified and also be accountable for any activities in their locations, saying there should be an end to any illegal occupation of forests across the state.
Herders going nowhere -Fayemi
Also at the meeting, Governor Fayemi reportedly assured herdsmen in Ondo state that they were not asked to leave the state but to only get proper registration.
He said there was no eviction order given to the Fulani herdsmen in any state in the South-West.
“This is your home. You’ve lived here, married and done business with us. Nobody is going anywhere. The statement by the Ondo State Government had no eviction reference,” Fayemi was quoted as saying at the ongoing meeting.” Sahara Reporters quoted the governor to have said at the meeting.
Fayemi said ethnic profiling had to stop and all tribes in Nigeria were faced by the security challenge.
