• Insecurity has reduced in Katsina, says Radda
• Idris urges collaboration to defeat insecurity

The Headquarters of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fansan Yamma, in the North-West has launched “Operation Clean Sweep IV” – a simultaneous and deliberate offensive designed to intensify pressure on terrorists and armed criminal elements, disrupt their networks and prevent infiltration and expansion of their activities across the region.
   
The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across states in the region, with the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.
   
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stressed the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens, saying that military action alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.
   
“You cannot shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces and the general public,” he said.
   
In the meantime, Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, has said the security situation in the state has significantly reduced in recent times following the sustained use of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in tackling the problem.
   
Radda spoke yesterday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in the state capital during the second quarter North West zonal conference of State Directors of Security (SDS), with the theme “Unite Against Terror.”
   
Nevertheless, Operation Clean Sweep IV has already translated into intensified operational activities across the theatre, with troops of Sector 2 in Katsina State on Wednesday conducting a clearance operation around suspected terrorist enclaves along the Dutsinma Local Council Area and compelling the terrorists to withdraw into surrounding bushes.
   
According to the Spokesman for OPFY, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, the clearance operation is ongoing in the general area. He stated that in Zamfara, following credible intelligence on the movement and convergence of terrorists on motorcycles in Anka Local Council Area, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma executed precision strikes, neutralising scores of terrorists, and forcing survivors to abandon their motorcycles and flee into surrounding bushes.
   
According to him, among others, the major component of Operation Clean Sweep IV is the deliberate effort to contain and dismantle the Lakurawa terrorist network across the theatre and prevent its infiltration and reinforcement in Nigeria and along the border corridors.
   
Meanwhile, Idris said yesterday in Abuja, when the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa (rtd), paid a courtesy visit to the ministry, that peace and security are fundamental to national development, noting that the country’s complex security challenges required a coordinated response involving both security forces and civilians.
   
According to him, government at all levels, communities, the media and citizens have important roles to play in strengthening national security, particularly through intelligence sharing, responsible communication and community engagement.
   
He also identified fake news, misinformation and disinformation as emerging security threats, warning that false information could undermine public confidence and complicate efforts by security agencies to manage crises.
   
Earlier, Famadewa said the visit was aimed at establishing a stronger working relationship between his office and the ministry, particularly in the areas of public education and strategic communication.
   
He said information had become an important component of modern homeland security, especially in dealing with asymmetric threats and shaping public understanding during security crises.
   
However, represented by his deputy, Farouk Jobe, the governor said about 26 councils were consistently under attack when his administration came into office, with reported killings, kidnappings for ransom, and related crimes rampant.
   
However, he said that the security situation has improved tremendously following his government’s approach, stating that the security operatives know what the administration has done in terms of support and collaboration, which has gradually brought peace.
   
The governor also called on the SDS to come up with lasting ways that would ensure synergy among action agencies, and how government can improve on what it is doing in addressing insecurity.
   
Also speaking, Chairman of the North West SDS Forum, who doubles as the Sokoto State DSS Director, Hussain Abubakar, said the war against terror is a task that must be accomplished through involvement by stakeholders.