Troops of the Nigerian Army have embarked on a clearance operation in Kano State to flush out bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements terrorizing the North-West region.
The troops in a joint operation with other security forces including personnel of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as local vigilantes and hunters, stormed the notorious Falgore Forest in Kano State.
A statement by the Army Director of Public Relations, Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima stated that the operation is part of efforts to ensure criminals don’t turn the forest into a haven and to secure the people of the state.
He added that it is also geared towards complementing the efforts of the standby troops at Forward Operating Base Falgore.
Yerima said, “Nigerian Army troops in a bid to ensure the return of socio-economic activities which were hitherto hampered by activities of bandits and other criminal elements, 1 Division NA in conjunction with personnel of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as well as local vigilantes and hunters embarked on a special joint clearance operation in Falgore Forest and other flash points in Kano State.
“The clearance operation which is still ongoing is geared towards complementing the efforts of the standby troops at Forward Operating Base Falgore, with the ultimate aim of making sure that bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements from neighbouring states do not infiltrate into the forest and any other part of Kano State to carry out their nefarious activities.
“Consequently, we wish to reassure the good people of Kano State of the safety of their lives and property and also urge them to continue to report suspicious movements of strange individuals or groups in their vicinity to the nearest security agency for prompt action.
“The NA in close cooperation with all the stakeholders on security is determined to ensure full return to normalcy in Kano State and other adjoining states in order to enable law-abiding citizens go about their normal businesses without harassment by criminal elements.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed a fierce engagement between its troops and terrorists belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
A statement on Wednesday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima said the troops clashed with the terrorists on Tuesday when they attempted to infiltrate Dikwa town of Borno.
However, three soldiers were critically wounded during the battle while six terrorists were killed and others seriously wounded.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News