Nigerian military forces yesterday dealt a mortal blow on bandits terrorising residents of Niger State, dispatching 70 of them to early graves.
The feat was achieved via Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopters deployed for the ongoing Operation Gama Aiki (OPGA) in Niger State.
LEADERSHIP reports that Niger State has been one of the hardest hit by the nefarious activities of bandits and terrorists, with nearly daily incidences of violence and kidnapping for ransom.
Monday’s abduction of the state commissioner for information Mohammed Sani Idris brought to 238 the number of Niger State citizens languishing in the den of kidnappers.
According to reports, a formation of Agusta 109 and EC 135 helicopter gunships were deployed to effectively decimate bandits’ camps at Jasuwan Garba-Urege axis in Niger State following credible intelligence on their location.
The report quoted a senior military officer involved in the operation as saying the aircraft formation took turns in engaging the bandits’ locations with rocket strikes, cutting down fleeing terrorists.
“The camps were seen engulfed in flames after the strikes. Reports from locals disclosed that about 70 bandits, including their logistics bases, were destroyed.
“The operation occurred on August 5, 2021. Similar operations were executed on 6 August 21 by the air component at Kwawu and Uzawo, all in Niger State, and recorded huge successes with several bandits neutralised.”
Meanwhile, the Niger State government has remained mum on the demands of abductors of the state commissioner for information, Mohamed Sani Idris, who demanded N500 million ransom and N200 million for the APC Niger North chairman, Aminu Bobi.
The kidnapping of Sani was announced in three-paragraph press release on Monday by the chief press secretary to the governor, Mary Noel Berje.
However, security agencies have been urged to intensify intelligence gathering.
The village head of Baban Tunga, Malam Adamu Muhammad, recalled that the commissioner had always come back home every weekend to be with them and nobody foresaw the plan of criminal elements to abduct him.
He said, “He (commissioner) made us a promise that wherever he goes, he will always be with us; that is why almost every weekend he was here, until this trial, and I pray for his safe release”
The chairman of Tafa local government, Ibrahim Ijah, called on the security agencies to do the needful and synergize for the safe release of the commissioner.
He said that based on the security situation in his local government area, he held several security meetings in Abuja on the need to synergize with Abuja because Tafa local government is the gateway to Abuja.
“As far as Tafa local government is not safe, that means Abuja is not safe. I have emphasised during meetings with security agencies in Abuja of the need for joint security taskforce to minimize the issues of kidnapping,” he said, adding, “if a commissioner is not safe, nobody is safe.”
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has asked Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to, without further delay, rescue the abducted Tegina Islammiyya children, teachers and his own commissioner for Information,
The PDP, in a statement signed by the new chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji, said, “The PDP is roundly disgusted and alarmed that it is over 70 days since the Tegina Islamiyya children were kidnapped.
“This is very unfortunate and sad. While the PDP conveys its prayers and heartfelt sadness to the families, we make haste to remind Governor Abubakar Sani Bello that the primary responsibility of any government is security of lives and properties especially this case that involves over 135 children of ages five and 15 years old.”
