North-west group hails army over efforts to restore peace in Katsina, Zamfara

The North- West Peace and Reconciliation Network has hailed the Nigerian army over its efforts towards returning peace and sanity to Katsina and Zamfara states and their environs.

The group, commended the troops for their “tireless efforts” in ensuring sustainable peace and tranquility across the North-West and the nation at large.

Danladi Ali, national chairman of the northern, group said “Operation Harbin Kunama” has succeeded in taming kidnappers and bandits.

According to him, the operations of soldiers in these states and its environs have seen to the restoration of peace in communities that were hitherto hotbeds for bandits and cattle rustlers and kidnappers.

They, therefore, charged the troops not to relent in their efforts in making the region free from bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers.

Below is the text he delivered at a press conference:

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network wishes to state that contrary to insinuations in certain quarters that the security agencies are not doing enough, indeed the Nigerian Army has commenced clearance and resettlement of IDPs back to their former communities.

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network express its special salutations to the Nigerian Army for its efforts in the resettlements of displaced persons back to their communities. This is highly commendable and the height of an unalloyed commitment and a fulfilment of its constitutional mandate as exemplified by the leadership of Lieutenant General TY Buratai as Chief of Army Staff. This has given us hope that life is not only returning to normalcy but efforts are also in place to rebuild our lost communities as seen in parts of Borno State where the Army embarked on projects to keep the people at home and never to remember their losses.

The recent arrest of a notorious bandit/kidnapping kingpin Mallam Bawa Gomna and 20 others during operations around Batsari, Jibia and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State by troops of 17 Brigade on Operation HARBIN KUNAMA III is indeed a testament of the tireless efforts of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that the activities of bandits and kidnappers are reduced to the barest minimum.

This much was corroborated by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masarai who appplauded the efforts of the Nigerian Army and it’s leadership in ensuring the return of peace to most of the communities once troubled by the criminals. It is a pointer to the good working relationship between the government of Katsina State and the Nigerian Army that so much is being accomplished in less than few weeks after Mr. President directed the Army and other security agencies to go out for the criminal elements.

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network is aware of the significant commitment exhibited by the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that banditry, cattle rustling, and kidnappings around these states and its environs are a thing of the past.

This is also mindful of the fact that bad politics and the economic interest of some selfish leaders are mainly responsible for the breakdown of law and order in the area.

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network appreciates the professional manner the Nigerian Army has conducted itself in ensuring the return of normalcy in these states and its environs and also charges other security agencies to take a cue from the Nigerian Army.

This is in tandem with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution in section 31 (1) that guarantees that “every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life.”

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network notes emphatically that this much the Nigerian Army has done and still doing in Zamfara state in recent times and therefore enjoins other security agencies and other civil authorities to join hands with the Nigerian Army in ensuring that activities of bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers are nipped in the bud for good.

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network also calls on former political appointees such as Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers and traditional rulers involved in the evil acts to give peace a chance by turning from their old ways by shunning acts and actions that would lead to bloodshed.

The Nigerian Army cannot do this alone. All hands must be on deck in this arduous task in the interest of peace and tranquillity as national interest should not be sacrificed for selfish and personal interest.

The North- West Peace and Reconciliation Network states in unequivocal terms that the bloodshed that has been experienced in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto States are politically motivated and as a result of the economic resources in the state.

This selfish pursuit has led to the loss of lives of innocent people, and as such, it should behove on all well-meaning individual to put national interest above personal and selfish interest.

The North-West Peace and Reconciliation Network believes that the efforts of the Nigerian Army would not be in vain if other critical stakeholders lend their support to the tireless efforts of the Nigerian Army in ensuring that peace reigns supreme in the North- West and other parts of Nigeria.