Over 200 criminals have been killed by a combined team of security forces in Niger State within 4 days.
The result is part of new strategies adopted by the state government to end siege by the many terrorist groups operating in about eight Local Government Areas in the state,a government official says .
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar who disclosed this to journalist on Wednesday after the cheering news said the feat was, however, not without supreme prize paid by security personnel as the joint security forces combating the dare devil criminals lost two of their men while several others with various degrees of injuries are responding to treatment.
Umar said the terror groups were hibernating in Shiroro, Lavun, Mariga, Wushishi, Kontagora, Paikoro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas.adding that
efforts have been intensified to rid the state of all forms of criminal elements, terrorist groups in particular,
“Between Sunday and today, the joint security forces were able to neutralise over 200 terrorists representing about four groups namely, Kachalla Halilu, Ali Kawaje, Yello Jambros and Bello Turji, including some of their Commanders,”he said.
Umar also commended the courage and collaborative efforts of traditional rulers in the state and communities saying that they stood their grounds to protect and defend their land against the terrorists.
“Our gallant joint security forces proved their worth by the recent feat. Many motorcycles and rustled cattle were also recovered during the invasion and we recorded very minimal casualty on the side of security forces, we lost only two security men, the government took the battle to the criminal’s den,” he added.
He expressed sympathy to the families of the security personnel and communities who lost their loved ones, and called on transporters to be conscious of some fleeing terrorists along the highways, seeking to be transported to certain locations, urging them to avail security agencies of the report.
The Commissioner said that the government was more than prepared to make the state very uncomfortable for armed bandits and called on the general public to report any stranger elements lurking within their domain to security agencies for prompt action.
