CDS orders troops to decimate terrorists, reward gallantry

Katsina deploys 1,456 watch corps to combat insecurity

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has ordered troops to decimate Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, to secure the country.

It is the duty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), he noted, to protect people’s lives and property in the six geo-political zones. Musa gave the order, yesterday, in Maiduguri, Borno State, while addressing over 1,000 soldiers at the Maimalari Cantonment parade ground.

“You are to pursue the terrorists and bandits to their hideouts in Sambisa Forest in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states,” he charged the soldiers, adding that the hideouts are also in the Lake Chad region and border areas.

On routing of terrorists and bandits, he said: “You are to identify and pursue the terrorists to their hideouts, instead of them coming to you for attacks,” noting that the army is committed and determined to defend the country and its citizens.

The defence chief, therefore, warned the troops against indiscipline, selling of ammunition, drug abuse and connivance with terrorists in the frontlines of North-east.

While assuring on the welfare of officers and soldiers, he said: “If you do well in the frontline, you will get an automatic promotion to a higher rank in the military.

Besides capturing a terrorist for promotion, the welfare of troops is accorded priority, including rotational leave every two years to meet their families.”

MEANWHILE, Katsina State Government has deployed 1,456 personnel of the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps (KSWC) to the eight local councils facing sever security challenges, to complement security agencies’ effort to combat banditry and related criminality.

First batch of the corps were deployed after intensive two-month training, by military experts, in intelligence gathering, weapon handling, security-civilian relations, among others. 

They were deployed to Batsari, Faskari, Jibia, Dandume, Danmusa, Kankara, Sabuwa and Safana. Katsina is among the states faced with security challenges brought about by activities of terrorists, kidnappers, and rustlers.

Hundreds of lives have been lost, while thousands of people have been maimed, kidnapped, raped, or had their communities ransacked since the incident reared its ugly head more than a decade ago. 

Speaking during the graduation and deployment ceremony at the Muhammadu Dikko stadium in Katsina, Governor Dikko Radda said recruitment of the watch crops became imperative in view of the security situation in many communities of the state.

Radda said his administration had given security priority, and that more would be done in coming months to ensure banditry and related criminality are eliminated within the shortest time possible.

He assured the residents that the watch crops would play complementary role to the security agencies, and that their familiarity with the terrain in which they would operate would boost security. 

Former President Muhammadu Buhari graced the event, which was attended by dignitaries from within and outside the state.  Also, 70 Hilux vehicles and 700 motorcycles were launched at the event for the use of the corps.