- A group has given an update on the Operation Cat Race carried out by the Nigerian army in Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and other states
- The Middle Belt Conscience Guard said the exercise by the army has yielded positive results
- The group also called for the arrest of a suspected Boko Haram kingpin who they said have been allegedly sighted in Benue
A Middle Belt group has commended the Nigerian army for the exercise with the code name; Operation Ayem Akapatuma covering Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and some northern states.
The group, the Middle Belt Conscience Guard said the operation by the Nigerian army has yielded results especially restoring peace and normalcy in the crisis affected areas.
In a statement signed by MBCG's national convener and his deputy, Raymond Enero and Paul Itodo, the group said sanity has returned the the affected states since the army launched its operation.
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The statement read in part: “Within the period, notable kingpins of criminal gangs operating in the area have been nabbed, useful confessions taken from them while plots to disposes innocent citizens of their earnings and property have been foiled.
“The result is that the area covering almost the entire stretch of the North-central zone which was the precipice owing to lack of security some few months backs have begun to simmer with hope, with an atmosphere of less crime reigning supreme in the entire stretch of the landscape covered by the operation and a sense of belonging restored among the populace.
“Those who had expressed some cynicism at the launch of the operation code named ‘Ayem Akpatuma’ or ‘Cat Race ’ is beginning to see beyond the pessimism.
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“In Benue, the clash between farmers and herders which almost caused a civil strife due to the frequency of occurrence has now taken a back seat with the arrest of rustlers, militias and other criminal elements spearheading the conflict which was assuming an ethnic and religious dimension.
“In Kaduna, the banditry in the remote villages which also throws up the hostilities along primordial fault lines has also died down, with communities putting behind them such nasty experiences to brace up for the task of economic development.
“In Nasarawa, since the main arena in the conflict between herders and farmers had been curtailed, the usual spillover occasioned by the movement of affected parties through its borders has also served to out-check the menace.
“While in Niger, the use of its territories to hide spoils from kidnapping had also been drastically reduced," the statement said.
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The MBCG said it is clear that crime the Middle Belt region can be reduce if the effort by the army is sustained and state governor retrace their steps.
The group also said the operation led to the discovery of a wanted Boko Haram kingpin known as Tishau in Benue state.
The group said: “We therefore implore the necessary authorities to arrest Tishau before he inflicts more damages on the people. This must be carried out immediately without any further hesitation to ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation is protected from the wicked hands of evil men in the society."
NAIJ.com earlier reported that 16 people were reportedly killed in a clash between herdsmen and farmers on Monday, March 5, in Benue state.
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The spokesperson in the state, Moses Yamu, while confirming the incident said the victims were mostly women and children.
Yamu also said the attack was a reappraisal of a similar attack by some youths of the Benue community who attacked some herdsmen and killed some of their cattle.
Nigerian herdsmen vs Nigerian farmers - on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng