ARMY SHUTS NATION’S BORDERS

In furtherance of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Tuesday’s declaration of state of emergency in three states in the north east and subsequent directive to deploy troops to the affected states, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies have commenced operations to rid the nation’s border territories of terrorist bases and activities.

This development is aside massive deployment of troops, armoured tanks, combat helicopters and other military hardware  into Maiduguri, the Borno state capital which continued yesterday with divisions of the security forces taking strategic positions at the areas identified as epicentres of the Boko Haram insurgent group.

Our correspondents reported that that the large scale military deployment which actually started since Monday, has caused fears and apprehension among the residents of the town even as Governor Kashim Shettima in a state-wide radio and television broadcast last night urged citizens to remain calm and pray for God’s intervention in the security challenges plaguing the state.

It was gathered that well over 3000 troops have been deployed so far to Borno state to complete the efforts of the about 5,000 members of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in on ground.

It was also observed that the newly deployed security forces who arrived in heavy duty military vehicles and patrol vans, were being stationed temporarily at the JTF headquarters at the Pomponari Ward, for documentation and other formalities.

Army fortifies borders

Given the reported porous nature of the nation’s borders, the the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Chris Olukolade, said in a statement yesterday military operation across the borders will focus on tracking down criminal elements within communities prone to terrorist activities.

The statement also explained the operations which will involve massive deployment of men and resources is aimed at asserting the nation’s territorial integrity and enhancing the security of constituted governmental structures in all territories within Nigeria’s borders.

According to Olukolade, the operational plans have briefed participating troops appropriately on arrests, cordon and search, especially directed at apprehending those who have been violating sovereignty of Nigeria through terrorist training, for insurgency and related activities.

The statement noted that the operation is expected to put an end to insurgent activities in these parts of the country.

Olukolade assured law abiding citizens that every effort has been put in place to ensure safety of civilians and non-combatants while the operation lasts while urging them to cooperate with troops and supply necessary information on criminal and terrorist activities or movement in their localities as the operation is intended to safeguard the nation’s interests and citizens in all parts of the Federation.

Hunting down Borno insurgents begins

However as at yesterday, the soldiers, backed by over 30 armoured tanks and armoured personnel carriers were divided into four groups and despatched to Marte, Mafa, Gamborou-Ngala and Bama local government areas which are the epicentres of the insurgency, security sources said.

Beside Bama which is located in Borno central zone, all the other areas are within the northern senatorial zone of the state.

It was also learnt that another set of troop was moved to the Sambisa Games Reserve, in Damboa local government council, in the southern part of the state, where the insurgents are suspected to have set up a base and training camp.

Peoples Daily observed that the troops in over a 100 patrol vehicles moved towards Mafa axis, causibg serious traffick jam along the  highway.

The impending crack down on the insurgents is expected to be the peak of Federal Government’s determination to flush out the militants as the troops were directed to extend deadly operations deep into the desert where the gunmen are suspected to be hiding, a security source said.

Despite the massive movements of military personnel, the atmosphere in Maiduguri was not as tensed as residents were seen going about their normal activities unhindered.

And contrary earlier fears, the normal security situation remained unchanged, our correspondent further observed.

Meanwhile, some residents of the city who expressed their opinions on the emergency rule aid that they have been living under  “state of emergency” for the last two years, describing the action as not strange.

“I don’t think there is any difference between what we were experiencing before and what we are seeing now after the declaration of state of emergency as the conditions have always been there.

“The checkpoints, the restriction of movement, the fear, so, there is really no difference”, a resident, who gave his namd as Ari Madu told our reporter.

Shettima commends Jonathan, urges calm

Also yesterday, Shettima in the broadcast solicited for more prayers from entire residents, for the restoration of peace to the state even as he urged them to support and cooperate with all the security agencies who are charged with the sole responsibility of tackling the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to the Governor, “in this trying moment, I urge everybody to fervently pray for the return of peace to our dear Borno state and in all other parts of Nigeria, to pave the way for rapid recovery and the socio-economic transformation that we so desperately seek to put in place as a government.”

He commended Jonathan for exercising his constitutional powers to proclaim the state of emergency in the area, as he explained that the development followed the spate of killings and destructions of property which ravaged the state.

As Shettima put it, “it is the constitutional responsibility of the President to take such measures and it is also the duty of any responsible state government to support lawful efforts that will guarantee the security of lives and property.

“It can never be the wish of any democratic government to have the military directly involved in the affairs of any federating unit except for unfortunate and painful causes.

“As the military leaders have said in discourses, the armory of the Nigerian soldiers is not meant to fight fellow Nigerians, the armory is meant to protect fellow Nigerians.

“I have directed the State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture to work out public safety enlightenment programmes that should be regularly featured on the Borno state Television and Radio while I urge our partners and friends in other media organizations resident in the state to help in educating citizens on public conducts at this different time that we face together.”

Source: Peoples Daily