THE Federal Government on Wednesday ordered immediate deployment of troops to Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger and Kaduna states to contain insecurity in the six states.
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The deployment came following ceaseless clashes between farmers and herdsmen which have resulted in several deaths and destruction of property worth several billions of Naira.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who announced the development at a press conference, on Wednesday in Abuja, said the troops will carry out special operations in the affected states in conjunction with other sister security agencies, including the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps among others.
Army Chief of Training and Operations, Major General David Ahmadu, who briefed the media on behalf of Buratai on the planned conduct of the special Army operations, tagged: ”Exercise Ayem Akpatuma”, said the exercise had become more “expedient due to upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger states as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities, particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states by armed militias.”
According to him, the special operations will be conducted in 1 and 3 Divisions, including Headquarters, Guards Brigade, and 707 Brigade; Areas of Responsibility, covering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states from Thursday, February 15 to Saturday, March 31, 2018.
He said: “You may recall that last year, the Nigerian Army conducted several training activities for its personnel in different geopolitical zones of the country, in line with its constitutional role in aid of civil authority.
“More so, Exercise Ayem Akpatuma has become more expedient due to upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger states as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States by armed militias.
“These security challenges have continued unabated in these states, despite the efforts by sister security agencies to curb them.
“This exercise will be conducted in conjunction with other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias perpetrating criminal acts in these states and environs.“
Major-General Ahmadu also said Exercise Ayem Akpatuma was conceptualized to dovetail into real-time operations, thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals when called upon.
“Exercise Ayem Akpatuma will also be unique as the ones before it, with the establishment of Step-Up Brigade Headquarters in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states. Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon-and-search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check-points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach.
“It is pertinent to note that Exercise Ayem Akpatuma is set to be another remarkable exercise that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination to sustain its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in troubled areas.
“In this regard, members of the public, especially residents of Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states are enjoined not to panic as the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law abiding citizens have been deliberately factored in the planning of this exercise.
“In order to ensure cordial civil-military relations, we shall make contact phone numbers of all Brigade Commanders public in addition to the Nigerian Army short code Information and Call Centre 193.”
