Kaduna seeks army’s support in fighting banditry

The Kaduna state government has appealed to Usman Mohammed, the new general officer commanding of one mechanised division of the Nigerian Army, to dedicate troops that will aggressively patrol some hot spots in four local government areas.

Samuel Aruwan, commissioner of internal security and home affairs, made the appeal on Friday, at the division headquarters in Kaduna.

He said there were concerns regarding Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Chikun local governments because “bandits are hibernating in some communities in the four area councils”.

He listed Mile Tara, Ungwan Yako , Labbi and Polewaya as hot spots where gunmen have carried out attacks, pleading for security to be strengthened along those axis.

Aruwan, who congratulated Mohammed as the 36th GOC of one mechanised division, said officers and men of the division have played very crucial roles in the internal security of Kaduna.

‘In 2015 when we came on board, the State was faced with security challenges like cattle rustling, banditry and other criminalities,” he said.

‘’The Division played a leading role – along with other sister services and the police-in quelling the threat, and eventually the situation was adequately contained.

“Government ‘’ will not forget in a hurry, the role officers and men of the Division played in 2016/2017 in the heat of the security challenges in Southern Kaduna.’’

Aruwan specifically praised the military high command for ‘’the foundation laying and commissioning of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kafanchan in February/May 2017 respectively.”

‘’The FOB established by the Nigerian Army in Kafanchan was the first siting of a military base dedicated to internal security management in Southern Kaduna general area in nearly forty-years,’’ he said.

He said the government appreciates the commitment of the division to contain the cases of banditry, kidnappings and other criminalities in Igabi, Giwa, Chikun, and Birnin Gwari LGAs.

‘’We will not go public with some operational details, but I will go public with concerns to allay the fears of our communities in Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa and Chikun LGAs in view of the armed bandits hibernating in the four councils,’’ he added.

In his response, Mohammed assured Kaduna government of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the internal security of the state.

He also promised to work hard in order to improve the security situation of the state.

Below are pictures of the meeting: