The military high command is proposing life imprisonment or the death penalty for personnel selling or leasing arms or ammunition to bandits and terrorists.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander Sector Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, said any soldier convicted of collaborating with bandits or terrorists should face severe penalties.
He spoke when he hosted Defence Correspondents in Sokoto as part of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) efforts to give journalists firsthand experience on the frontline.
The GOC was responding to allegations of soldiers aiding terrorists and bandits against the state, and the unguarded use of social media by soldiers on the frontlines.
He said: “The military is proposing life imprisonment or the death penalty for personnel selling or leasing arms or ammunition to bandits and terrorists.
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“Regarding soldiers’ social media use on the frontlines, any violation is clear disobedience of our social media rules. Soldiers are required to adhere to our guidelines, and those who misuse social media face sanctions, including dismissal.”
Maj.-Gen. Ajose urged journalists to support the military’s efforts to rid the country of criminals by reporting only verified facts about military operations and avoiding fake news and misinformation.
On drone threats, the GOC said there have been no drone attacks by terrorists in the Northwest.
He said: ‘We are prepared for any eventuality. We have technology to counter such threats and our personnel are trained to handle them.
“When bandits first deployed a surveillance drone, our troops shot it down, and they haven’t attempted it since.”
Maj.-Gen. Ajose said heightened military onslaught in Sokoto and Kebbi states have subdued activities of the Lakurawa terror group.
“We have destroyed their camps in Sokoto and Kebbi State,” he said.
The GOC said the military had continued to curtail the crisscrossing of the Lakurawa group into Nigeria from Niger Republic through engagement with the locals in the border communities.
“In communities where we have a lot of presence, we were able to win the trust of the people, and they provide us with information about the movement of this group.
“But we have problems where we don’t have a constant presence. This means that we just go into those communities when there are problems, and we leave.
“In these communities, we won’t be able to win the people’s trust. And this is where the state government must come in.
“The state should come in to win their trust by providing them with basic amenities. This will give them a sense of belonging, and subsequently enhance our operations.”
The GOC said that the military’s non-kinetic operation last month led to the release of 100 kidnap victims by their abductors in Katsina State.
According to him, the intensive engagement with the Fulani and Hausa communities in the state led to the unconditional release of the kidnapped persons.
The engagement also led some bandits and terrorists to show interest in laying down their arms.
Also yesterday, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) foiled a major attack by ISWAP terrorists on their location in New Marte, Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and recovering arms, vehicles and explosives.
The foiled attack occurred in the early hours when terrorists attempted to infiltrate the troops’ position.
A gun battle ensued, with reinforcements from the 24 Task Force Brigade Garrison and 134 Special Forces Battalion swiftly mobilised to repel the assault.
Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command of OPHK, said in a statement that the troops were supported by the Air Component of OPHK, which provided real-time intelligence, surveillance and offensive air strikes.
According to him, the air strikes destroyed several motorcycles used by the fleeing insurgents, while ground troops recovered a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) SUV abandoned during the terrorists’ retreat.
Kovangiya said: “Exploitation of the area led to the recovery of the VBIED and discovery of lifeless bodies of terrorists.
“Blood trails were also observed along their withdrawal routes, indicating additional casualties.”
He added that two soldiers died during the encounter, noting that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
Troops also repelled another attack on a Forward Operating Base in Kumshe, where several terrorists were killed in a fierce confrontation.
The Theatre Command said the operations reflect improved synergy between ground forces and the Air Component, reaffirming troops’ commitment to denying terrorists freedom of action and restoring peace to the Northeast.
The acting deputy director reiterated the troops’ determination to sustain the momentum against terrorism, in line with the mandate of Operation HADIN KAI.