Door still open for terrorists to surrender, says brigade commander

Babatunde Omopariola, 17 brigade commander of the Nigerian Army in Katsina, says the door is still wide open for gunmen and violent extremists to surrender.

Omopariola spoke on Saturday, when he handed over nine rescued victims of kidnapping to officials of the Katsina state government, in a brief ceremony which held at the brigade headquarters.

The victims comprised five men, two nursing mothers and their babies.

They had been kidnapped by bandits from different LGAs in Katsina and taken to Kaduna state.

The brigadier general said anyone involved in the business of kidnapping should desist or face the consequences.

Omopariola, who was represented by Yakubu Nwandiscas, brigade’s chief of staff, said the army used non-kinetic approach to rescue the victims.

In his remarks, Sa’idu Danja, senior special assistant to the governor on victims of banditry and IDPs, commended the security forces for the rescue mission.

“These are some of the successes you have been recording as a result of your synergy,” he said.

“His Excellency the Governor, has been receiving cooperation from all angles of the security agencies and will give you all the necessary support and cooperation to achieve your desired result.”

Inusa Salisu, a 45-year-old man who was one of the rescued victims, detailed his 90-day experience in the hands of the bandits after he was captured on his farm alongside his son.

“The bandits, seven in number, riding on five motorcycles, chased me and my grown up son,” he said.

“Within the 90-day period of our stay, we were eating animal feed. They killed five people in my presence including my 20-year-old son. I didn’t touch water, let alone take a bath within the period.”