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Chinelo Obogo, Lagos
The Arewa Youth Security Network (AYSN) has backed the Nigerian Army’s recently launched Operation Sahel Sanity, labelling it a success.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Jimoh Jibrin, the group also expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai for the initiative which is reported to have neutralised over 100 bandits within seven days.
As part of efforts to end banditry and other crimes in Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger states, Lt-Gen Buratai flagged off the latest military operation last week in Faskari, Katsina State.
Addressing troops at the Special Army Super Camp IV in Faskari, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Abayomi Olonisakin, on Monday, commended the exercise, optimistic that ‘banditry would soon be a thing of the past.’
While commending the military for their efforts, the Arewa group called on Nigerians, especially leaders of thought, political leaders and religious institutions and the local communities to join hands with the army to tackle this menace.
The group also urged the troops not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits.
Its statement of support reads:
‘We at the AYSN welcome the recently launched operation Sahel Sanity by the Chief of Army Staff. It is indeed a welcome development that has started yielding positive fruits. The idea behind operation Sahel Sanity is to rid the North-West zone of banditry, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality bedevilling that region.
‘In the short time this operation was launched, part of the successes recorded is the rescue of several kidnap victims, neutralisation of some armed bandits, recovery of arms and over 700 cattle and hundreds of sheep.
‘This success may look somewhat insignificant to those of us living in the cities like Abuja and Lagos, however to those on ground in the local communities, who have had their kidnapped relatives returned and their stolen cattle returned to them, this is quite significant to them.
‘For a better appreciation of what the military is dealing with here, it is important that we quickly visit the genesis of this problem. The effect of climate change on the world is not only environmental but also economical. What we are witnessing now are the effects of climate change on the world that scientists predicted and warned about several years ago but unfortunately, it appeared the world did not really heed the advice.
‘Due to climate change, desert encroachment has continued to increase especially up north in the Sahel region. The contention for land between pastoralists and farmers has become more intense as fertile land continues to decrease due to desertification. Nigeria has had its fair share of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists.
‘Unfortunately, the conflict between farmers and herders kept getting more complicated due to several factors amongst them, greater human use of land for non-agricultural purposes, consistent shift in human and livestock population.
“In the last decade since the war against Boko Haram started in the North-East, there has been an international dimension to the once purely rural communal clashes amongst pastoralist and farmers. Since the military in the last 5 years started making profound progress against Boko Haram/ISWAP, many of the fighters have fled to other parts of the country especially the northwestern part of the country.
‘What started at first as cattle rustling, quickly graduated to full-time banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality. As the army was making progress in the North-East, many of the terrorists fled with heavy weapons and ammunition to join their fellow in the forest of the North-West and from then on, it wasn’t the same communal conflict anymore.
‘It is important we understand this background in order to appreciate the enormity of the task and how well our military has done. Most of these problems are mainly socio-economic problems that had they been properly managed by previous governments and policymakers, we would not require military intervention today. Unfortunately, as it is now, seems all is now left for the military to clear the mess.
‘As it was with the Boko Haram issue, our great men and women of the Nigerian armed forces have stepped up again to this challenge. They have now made the eradication of banditry and all sorts of criminality in the North West a task that must be done.
“Whilst we commend the military for their sacrifices and proactive efforts in setting up the operation Sahel Sanity, it is important to call on all Nigerians, especially leaders of thought, political leaders and religious institutions to join hands with the Nigerian army to tackle this menace once and for all.
‘It is time the people of the north irrespective of political or religious affiliations to come together and give full support to the army to tackle this issue finally. The army needs the support of the communities to share information on activities of bandits in their localities. The military requires the support of the communities in exposing those shielding and supporting the activities of these criminals.
‘Without the support of the local communities, it will be a herculean task to win the battle against these criminals. Let us in the north now rally round the army and support them to execute the order of President Muhammadu Buhari to end banditry and all forms of criminality in the North West zone within a matter of days. All hands must now be on deck to make this task achievable within the envisaged time limit.
‘We not unaware that some enemies of the President who are envious of his laudable achievements in many sectors in the country are unhappy and may want to continue to sponsor terrorist and criminals to destabilise the region, hoping to dent the image of our President. Our consolation is in the fact that we know that Nigerians are wiser and can see through their evil machinations.
‘We call on the army not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits. We want to use this opportunity to commend the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai for the great initiative of setting up super camps. It is a noble concept that has yielded great results including the neutralising of over 100 bandits in the North West within the first few weeks of set up.
‘From this, we can see that the military is fully ready and united in the fight against banditry in the North West. It is time for all citizens of the region to come together and support the efforts of the military so that life can return to normal in these areas. We call on the army not to relent in their efforts especially now that they are recording tremendous progress against the bandits of progress or development.’
