The launch of Operation Sahel Sanity in Faskari Katsina State appears to have added a fresh dimension to the determination of the joint military operatives, to decisively end banditry and other forms of criminality in the Northwest writes AUGUSTINE OKEZIE.
Before the launch of Operation Sahel Sanity in the Northwest and the subsequent establishment of its super camp 4 in Faskari in Katsina State, there were several other military operations such as Operation Hadarin Daji, Harbin Kunama and so on.
Nevertheless, the introduction of Operation Sahel Sanity has eclipsed whatever achievements that has been recorded earlier and charted a decisive track towards addressing the menace of banditry and other forms of criminality in the region.
The questions bordering the minds of several stakeholders in the region include: what manner of impetus does Sahel Sanity brought to the table, and what are the secrets behind the successes recorded so far by the operation and whether other ongoing security operations should take a cue from the successes it has recorded?
Colonel Sagir Musa and Acting Director, Army Information and Public Relations, told The Nation that Operation Sahel Sanity, a complementary operation to Operation Hadarin Daji is primarily concerned with eliminating bandits and other criminal elements in the North Western states of Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger State in North Central.
He further attributed the successes by the operation to the quality of good and purposeful leadership and support from the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, the motivation of troops, degree of professionalism and the unyielding commitment shown by the troops in the discharge of their duties.
On the challenges facing the troops, Sagir the troops have continued to build on the successes achieved so far.
He said: “Though the Nigerian Army appreciates the people of Northwest for their co-operation so far, however, more credible and timely information is required from the populace to assist troops in their quest to achieve set objectives.”
Buratai had, on July 6, launched another military operation codenamed Operation Sahel Sanity to tackle banditry and other nefarious activities in the Northwest and Niger State in the North Central.
Geared up to dislodge bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers in the Northwest, the operation was also launched as part of activities commemorating 2020 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, during which the Nigerian Army Super Camp IV was established in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
While inaugurating the operation, the army boss also launched the newly acquired 10 Mines Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (M-RAP) which were part of the military hardware inducted for Operation Sahel Sanity.
He said: “The M-RAP vehicles were conceptualised, designed and fabricated in Nigeria by the 107 Division Equipment Support of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri.
“The military operation, with headquarters at the Special Army Super Camp IV, Faskari has comprehensively stemmed the wave of insecurity bedevilling Katsina State and the Northwest.”
Prior to the commencement of the operation, bandits had crippled the activities of the people of the Northwest, including farming and other socio-economic activities.
Barely two months into the operation, the people, particularly those living in rural communities have started witnessing changes due to the tremendous successes recorded by troops, including the return of farmers to their farms and most of the IDPs who hitherto fled their ancestral homes at the inception of activities of bandits’ attacks have also returned to their homes.
The troops had, within the period under review, carried out a series of successful clearance operations, destruction of several bandits’ camps, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence-building measures within Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The Army Chief Information officer further revealed that the Nigerian Army’s special operations against bandits have destroyed several bandits’ camps in Katsina and the Northwest and arrested foreign mercenaries from the Niger Republic, among other successes.
He said: “Last week, the Headquarters of Operation Sahel Sanity played host to several dignitaries here in Special Army Super Camp 4, Faskari; notably the Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Army respectively, governors and traditional rulers from the Northwest.
”During the visits, they paid glowing tributes to the Army for their efforts to wipe out banditry, kidnapping and sundry criminalities in the zone.
”They also pledged their support to the operations of the Nigerian Army in the zone and attested to the fact that farming; social and economic activities are once again flourishing in the Northwest.”
He also announced the smashing of a notorious illegal arms smuggling syndicate that specialises in arms supply to bandits in the Northwest from across the international borders led by Alhaji Adamu Alhassan, Salisu Adamu and Abdullahi Sani, all Nigeriens.
He further revealed that those arrested were intercepted by the troops at Dantudu in Mailailai District of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State with six AK 47 rifles, three AK 47 rifle magazines and 2,415 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition deceptively concealed in various parts of their vehicle.
During a combined special clearance operation, troops also destroyed 12 bandits’ camps at Yobe Baranda in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State with three bandits neutralised in the process while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Also troops of Forward Operation Base (FOB) Wanke, arrested a suspected bandit named Shehu Abdullahi while spying on traders’ activities in the market with the intent of organising their kidnap.
Another group of bandits who were sighted at Danjibga Market were arrested by troops mobilised to the area.
The activities of the operations may be seriously constrained by weather challenges and the terrain. The troops often require the assistance of the local vigilantes to navigate through the notorious forests and highlands.
Another of the challenges experienced by the troops is the non-volunteer of privileged and credible intelligence information by members of the local communities.
While most of them volunteered such information out of patriotism, a few others sabotage the effort by the government to instil sanity and the return of peace.
To buttress the need for cordiality and partnership with local communities, the army information chief urged the people to partner the military by providing timely and actionable intelligence information, even as he assured that the enemy would soon be defeated.
He said: “We thank the people of the Northwest for their support and co-operation. We solicit for more timely and actionable intelligence that will assist the troops in the operation.”
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