Kaduna State Government has disclosed that the military unit in charge of in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states, Operation Safe Haven, OPSH, has found no bandits at Zangang Hills.
Recall that on Saturday, some groups in Kaura Local Government had alleged that there were over 600 armed bandits at Zangang Hills, posing security threat to the community and its environs.
However, the state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Monday, said the military and a detachment of the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army carried out extensive fighting patrols on Sunday and found no bandits therein.
Mr Aruwan said: “The fighting patrol stretched up to the Kagoro Hills and other suspected hideouts. Troops did not encounter any group of armed bandits throughout the extensive fighting patrols.
“Furthermore, not a single bandit camp was found in the area and there is also no evidence of human activity in and around the hills as the reader will glean in the pictures attached to this press statement.”
The commissioner, therefore, commended the Commander of OPSH, Major General CC. Okonkwo and his team in Sector 7 (Southern Kaduna) under the leadership of Col. GU. Akpan, officers and men for a job well done.
The state government also reiterated its appeal to aggrieved communities, individuals and groups to always report to the constituted authorities “so as to avoid killings and counter killings that deepen the vicious cycles of reprisals”.
“Contrary to the misreading of the security challenges, what stands out as a major impediment to peace has been the resort to self-help and jungle justice, rather than complying with the rule of law.
“Citizens with credible information on any criminal activity, including banditry, are encouraged to confide their suspicions to security agencies and government for prompt action.
“The Security Operations Room, a 24-hour security information centre is available to be receiving details discreetly on 09034000060, 08170189999 and Internal.Security@kdsg.gov.ng for immediate action,” the statement noted.
