Defence chief: Operation safe haven will be extended to five Kaduna LGAs to tackle banditry

Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), says the special military security outfit, “Operation Safe Haven” will extend its operations to five LGAs in Kaduna to tackle banditry in the state.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit to Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, the defence chief said the military is set to change its mode of operation to involve both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.

He added that efforts are being intensified to address insecurity and terrorism across the country.

The army chief said the military has identified some gaps which would soon be closed to prevent terrorists from operating freely in the country.

“Operation Safe Haven will be expanded to cover Birnin Gwari, Zangon Kataf, Sanga, Kaura and Giwa local government areas of Kaduna state as requested by the governor,” he said.

“We are going to expand Operation Safe Haven in southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari areas. What we are doing is that we had a meeting with task force leaders and theatre commanders to get a more robust and more result-oriented approach.

“We are changing the mode of operation from what it used to be, it would now be both kinetic and non-kinetic.

“So we are going to close them down to make it difficult for the terrorists to move around and operate freely.

“Everyone needs to come together and take ownership as we take the fight to the terrorists.

“Those who are smart among them will realise that it is time for them to surrender but for others who want to be stubborn, we would flush them out of Nigeria.

“We don’t want to flush them from one state to the other, we want to send them out of our country.

“We are going through challenging times economically and security-wise, but if you don’t go through challenges you may not discover who you are.

“I know we are going to come out stronger with your leadership and the support of your team. What we are going through is momentary, we will soon find peace.”

Speaking earlier during the visit, the governor commended the CDS for upholding great virtues, adding that the special forces are welcome to stay for as long as it would take to rid the state of terrorists.

“We want to appeal for a prolonged stay of the special forces and for the expansion of Operation Safe Haven in southern Kaduna to Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Sanga, Birnin Gwari, Giwa areas to restrict bandits from using our state as a refuge,” Sani added.

Many Kaduna communities, particularly the southern region, have been attacked and destroyed by terrorists who operate actively in parts of the state.