The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that farmers in North East and North Central have started farming activities as troops degrade terrorists.
This was made known by the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Major General Markus Kangye, in a press briefing on the activities of the Armed forces held in Abuja.
He explained that troops have been conducting aggressive foot patrols across farming communities in order to guarantee security for the farmers.
He reiterated that, military in collaboration with all stakeholders remains committed to the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, the security of the people, and upholding constitutional order.
According to him, the troops are constantly guided by the operational guidelines, code of conduct for internal security operations, and the laws of armed conflict.
“It is heartwarming to report that farmers in the North East, particularly northern Borno, North West, North Central and other areas affected by conflicts have started farming activities as our troops have significantly degraded terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, who hitherto obstructed farming activities in the areas.
“Our troops have been conducting aggressive foot and aerial patrols across farming communities in all theatres in order to guarantee security for the farmers,” he stated.
According to the DDMO, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) sustained efforts to deny Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists freedom of action in the North East region.
He added that the ground forces in synergy with the Air Component and Hybrid forces local security stakeholders, have conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
He said their effort led to the arrest of terrorists’ logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons.
Kangye noted that the troops conducted kinetic operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the general areas of Tangalaga, Bula Marwa, Mandara Girau, Agapalwa, New Marte, Kala Balge, Lassa, Kumalia and Karma as well as other areas in Bama, Kukawa, Biu, Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno States, eliminating scores of terrorists.
“Also, large number of terrorists comprising adult males and females including children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightened across the theatre. Troops also conducted operations in Konduga, Marte, Ngala, Kala-Balge, Damboa, Chibok and Askira Uba LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba, Geidam and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State.
“During the encounters, some terrorists were killed in action, 11 of their collaborators were arrested, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued.
Some quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered. They also retrieved and safely detonated some IEDs, while the sum of N17,150.00 was also recovered,” he said.