January 26, (THEWILL) – The latest improve in army assaults in opposition to the seemingly invincible terrorists, notably within the North-East geopolitical zone, is a welcome growth.
The previous couple of weeks have been fairly difficult and scary for a lot of Nigerians, not solely within the bandits-infested North-West the place the Nigerian army has concentrated its assaults and firepower but in addition within the North-East and a few elements of the South-East and South-West the place there’s concern of renewed assaults by bandits and terrorists.
There was an upsurge in terror assaults, notably within the North-East and North-West. The audacious method by which terrorists operated throughout the geo-political zones has given the army authorities trigger for concern.
Within the North-East, terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, attacked a army base in Sabon Gida, Damboa, Borno State, killing eight troopers.
Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Shikarkir group within the Chibok Native Authorities Space of Borno State and burned down a church and homes.
The murderous assaults prolonged to Kankara Basic Hospital in Katsina State the place two individuals have been shot useless and a health care provider practically misplaced his life. In Kaita Native Authorities Space of the state, the place 30 individuals have been killed in comparable circumstances, the state of affairs is simply as unhealthy because the incident in Natsini Village in Argungu LGA of Kebbi the place Lakurawa bandits attacked and killed individuals and rustled unspecified variety of cows.
Different states within the zone, particularly Kaduna and Zamfara, the place over 40 individuals, largely youngsters and ladies have been killed, Jigawa which misplaced 11 folks, Sokoto the place 5 troopers have been killed in a army duel with Lakurawa terrorist group, additionally had their share of the phobia.
In one other growth, two Catholic reverend sisters on Ufuma Street in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State whereas they have been coming back from a vocational affiliation assembly in Ogboji.
The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, disclosed on Thursday that over 1,000 households have been displaced in a collection of assaults on communities.
Usually, 77 individuals misplaced their lives, with 43 kidnapped, in numerous terror assaults that befell in 10 states within the final one week. Additionally, many homes have been burnt and greater than 1,000 residents have been displaced. The state of affairs is so unhealthy that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State needed to elevate the alarm that intelligence experiences confirmed that terrorists fleeing the warfare zone within the North-West had infiltrated the South-West.
Addressing these rampant and lethal assaults, the Nigerian army on Thursday stated the inflow of international fighters offering reinforcement to native terror teams in Nigeria, is liable for the latest resurgence of terrorist assaults within the North-East and North-West.
The Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said this whereas briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces a fortnight in the past.
He stated, “These international fighters are from the Sahelian Area. The opposite contributing issue is the native collaborators that type a assist base for these terrorists. They function informants to the terrorist reporting on troop motion. Regardless of the state of affairs, troops are profoundly aware of their position and accountability in ending insurgency and terrorism within the nation.”
The alarming state of affairs has attracted reactions, not surprisingly, from retired generals within the Nigerian military.
Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinibi, as an illustration, blamed the porous borders for the inflow of militants, urging the federal government to tighten safety on the borders to comprise the terrorists. For him, army and political options needs to be adopted to unravel the worrisome growth.
Equally, retired Brig. Gen. Aliyu Momoh, has waded into the state of affairs by calling for higher funding and mass assist for the army, including that the recognized issues creating obstacles on efficient army campaigns needs to be addressed.
Each retired generals couldn’t have stated it higher. Even so, the mixed efforts of the Nigeria Airforce and Military has yielded some good outcomes, notably with the dislodgement of the bottom and construction of the infamous bandit, Bello Turji. Though he’s nonetheless at giant, the elimination of a few of his commanders, together with his son and brother sends a robust message that banditry and terrorism is on the receiving finish, with a excessive chance of defeat and elimination.
We urge authorities and army chiefs to maintain the warmth on the bandits in order to revive some type of assured safety to most of the affected victims and Nigerians typically, whose life sample has been disrupted by dwelling in fixed concern of assaults.
