The Kebbi State Government has pledged support for the families of the 10 police officers and other victims of a terrorist attack along the Rafin Makuku axis of Sakaba Local Council Area of the state.

In the meantime, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) said the sustained offensives on terrorists’ positions and enclaves have triggered a 213 per cent rise in the insurgents and their families surrendering to security operatives in the North East recently.

It was disclosed that the coordinated ground operations and engagements to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist elements and restrict their freedom of action across the theatre disrupted terrorists’ logistics and supply routes.

Governor Nasir Idris pledged yesterday when a delegation from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Umar Dada, paid him a condolence visit at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Idris noted that they lost their lives carrying out their constitutional duties, having been deployed to the area to support sister security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality.

“It is our tradition in Kebbi to support the families of fallen security personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty,” he stated. “The Kebbi State Government will come to the aid of the families of the officers who lost their lives.”

DIG Dada had earlier conveyed the IGP’s condolences to the governor, the people of Kebbi State and the families of the fallen officers, assuring that the police would intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.

He also disclosed that a police squadron would soon be established in the state to further strengthen security operations and enhance the protection of lives and property.

The OPHK Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement yesterday, saying that the increased number of surrenders reflects a growing number of terrorist fighters and associates opting to abandon terrorism and submit to established surrender procedures.

“In a further manifestation of this emerging trend, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops today, bringing with them arms, ammunition and other military items,” he stated.

“The recovery of these weapons and ammunition further reinforces indications that sustained military pressure is having a significant effect on the cohesion, morale and operational sustainability of terrorist elements.

“The development is equally indicative of the diminishing capacity of terrorist elements to retain their fighters and sustain prolonged operations.”