The Niger State government has said joint security operations have led to the death of over 200 terrorists in the state in the past three days.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, while briefing journalists at the Government House, Minna, under the directives of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
Umar said many commanders of the terrorists were among those destroyed pointing out that the terrorists killed belonged to the camps of Ali Kawajo, Yello Janbros, Kachalla Halilu and Bello Turji.
This was contained in a statement shared on the Facebook page of the Office Of The Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, on Wednesday.
The statement read in part, “The commissioner stressed that the success recorded was due to the new approach evolved in the joint security operations and the collective efforts of traditional leaders, community leaders as well as community members.
He said over 60 motorcycles, unspecified number of cows and arms were recovered, adding that the arms have been handed over to the security agencies.
“The commissioner announced that the joint security agencies however recorded some casualties; two deaths and many injured, whom he said are receiving treatment at a government facility.
“He said on behalf of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, he sympathised with the families of the security operatives that were killed and their agencies saying that their sacrifices are appreciated and will not go unrewarded.
“While commending the security agencies, community leaders and members of the affected communities for their collective efforts towards annihilating the terrorists, he cautioned the general public to be vigilant as some of the terrorists who escaped with bullet wounds are taking shelter in some communities.
“He passionately appealed to the public to report any strange persons within their environment while reiterating government’s determination to win the war.”
He was quoted as saying, “We are appealing to the general public that this fight is not for government alone, it is for us all, we will not rest, until we chase them out of our land, and will continue trailing those that have escaped as well as ensure that we do everything possible for them to pay for the destruction that they are causing our people.”