Minister of
Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali was at the presidential villa on Tuesday to brief
President Muhammad Buhari on state of security in Nigeria.
He spoke at
the Security Council meeting, which was attended b
y the nation’s Service
Chiefs.
Thanking the
president for his relentless and continuous support to the Nigerian Armed
Forces in the conduct of its operations, he drew the attention of the council
to the incessant killings and kidnappings by armed bandits and criminal
activities across the North-West.
He mentioned
Abuja-Kaduna expressway as a source of concern, saying there were still
recorded incidences of kidnappings within the period under review.
Colonel
Tukur Gusau, his spokesman, in a statement, said Dan-Ali also stated that the
upsurge in incidents of security concern in Zamfara State is quite disturbing
and called for more robust approach to tackling the threat.
“The
situation is characterized with killings and kidnappings by armed bandits and
criminal elements predominantly in Anka, Maru, Kaura Namoda and Talata Mafara
LGAs of the State”, he noted.
“In the
North-Central, the incidents of herdsmen-farmers clashes in Benue and Taraba
states has reduced considerably. Several arrests have been made in connection
with the killings and destruction of properties by own troops in conjunction
with other security agencies.
“While in
the North-East, the Boko Haram Terrorists activities have been contained as
there is significant improvement in security situation in the Zone. The
Nigerian Army has launched Operation LAST HOLD to flush out the insurgents from
their hideouts in the Lake Chad Basin and free the communities to enable IDPs
to return to their homes. The operation is to last till end of August 2018.
“Similarly,
the MNJTF is currently engaged in Operation to dislodge Boko Haram Terrorists
in the fringes between Niger Republic and Nigeria. The Task Force has so far
dislodged the insurgents from Arege, Kangarwa, Metele and few other islands on
the Lake Chad. So far, 296 persons have been rescued and are undergoing
profiling. The number is envisaged to increase as troops intensify clearance
operations.
“In the
South-South/South-West, the situation of illegal oil bunkering, militancy and
pipeline vandalism is on a decline in the Niger Delta following the effort of
the Federal Government to engage stakeholders in dialogue. Similarly, Operation
AWATSE has continued to dislodge militants and pipeline vandals from Arepo and
other areas in Lagos and Ogun waterside.
“The Council
was also informed by the Honourable Minister that the United States of America
conveyed to the Government of Nigeria information about the implementation of
Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act Section 231. It is
pertinent to state that the award of contract for the procurement of the Mi-35M
helicopters was completed before the Act was signed into Law in August 2017.
“In
conclusion, the Honourable Minister suggested to the Council the need for
Defence Headquarters to launch a Joint Task Force Operation similar to
Operation SAFE HAVEN in Jos to cover Zamfara and Birnin Gwari axis of Kaduna
State with its headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State. The need to employ other
channels with the affected states to reduce tension by suspending the
implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law while also negotiating safe routes
for the herders.
“The urgent
need for the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services to prosecute all
the suspects arrested in the states. The need to hasten the establishment of a
National Commission on the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria.
The need to engage diplomatic channels to ensure US sanctions does not affect
Nigeria.”
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