By Chimezie Godfrey
Niger state government has said the terrorists who invaded some communities in Wushishi, Mashegun and Lavun Local government areas of the state have been enclosed by security operatives around the flanks of river Kaduna.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, shortly after emergency security meeting chaired by Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello at the government house, Minna.
The Commissioner explained that eight of the gunmen were killed and others rounded up after the heavy security presence along Wushishi routes forced them to move through Lavun and Mashegu Local Governments attacking some communities.
“The conventional and nonconventional security operatives engaged the bandits during which eight were killed.
“The criminals were believed to have moved over to Wushishi local government were they attacked communities like Akere, and the rest and then moved over knowing that there are security measures put in place in the routes. They moved to Lavun local government, from there, they touched part of Kutigi the headquarters of the local government operating within the flanks of River Kaduna axis”, he explained further.
He said security personnel have been fully mobilized and are being supported by Airstrikes to ensure that the criminals are neutralised.
The Commissioner however called on the public to manage information so as to ensure success, pointing out that “in a period like this, there are anxieties and panicking, it is natural but government will always respond to credible information appropriately”.
On the recent bomb explosion in Galadiman Kogo, Mr Umar said the state government was still expecting reports from the Nigerian Police but however said no life was lost in the incident.
He reassured the people that the state government is doing everything possible using Kinetic and non-Kinetic approach to ensure that peace returns to the state.
“Criminals are in our space, it is our responsibility to flush them out and we are not relenting, we are determined to do that.
“The security operatives and community members are also more committed now to see that these criminals are wiped out”, he said.
The Commissioner who said he cannot make public their tactical operations, stressed that government is carrying out massive operations to protect lives and property as well as ensure safe return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their communities, even as some in Kontagora have started returning back.
