Ortom solicits more protection for humanitarian workers

Operation Sahel Sanity slays bandits, rescues kidnap victims

Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has called on governments at all levels to provide more protection to persons involved in humanitarian work to spur them for greater feats.

Ortom, in a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday to mark the World Humanitarian Day, described the services rendered by aid and healthcare workers in the country and other parts of the globe as selfless and immeasurable.

The governor stated that the current battle against COVID-19 exposed health workers and care-givers to hazardous conditions leading to the death of many, a situation he said deserved every means of encouragement.

He assured that his administration would continue to evolve policies towards alleviating the plight of people affected by emergencies, just as he appreciated the people of the state for their support and collaboration in surmounting security and economic challenges in the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Sahel Sanity fighting banditry in the North West from Super Camp 4 based in Faskari, Katsina State, have recorded another breakthrough within the zone in their quest to wipe out banditry and other criminal activities.

The acting director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated yesterday that the operation was yielding results, as his troops recently neutralised scores of bandits, rescued kidnap victims and arrested more suspected bandits and their collaborators.

The release stated that on August 15, 2020, troops deployed at Jengebe, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspected collaborators while attempting to sell three rustled cows in the market.

Onyeuko also revealed that the troops conducting clearance patrol along Faskari/Sheme road had a serious encounter with bandits who were forced to retreat into the forest, abandoning two teenagers they had kidnapped. He added that the rescued victims had been handed over to Faskari Council authorities for onward re-union with their families.

The release further disclosed that on August 16, 2020, troops conducted aggressive onslaught on some identified bandits’ hideouts.