As the Federal Government and the security forces try to get a grip on the deteriorating security situation in the country, bandits have become more equipped and fiercer than ever in their myriads of attacks.
Members of the Ansaru Terrorist Group shot down a Police Bell Helicopter in Kurudu Forest, Birnin Gwari, and Kaduna State.
This is quite alarming as the Nigerian Police revealed that the helicopter was providing aerial and intelligence cover for the ground forces before the bandits shot at it using anti-aircraft rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns.
Kurudu Forest is the largest operational camp of the Ansaru sect; however, the Police reportedly killed 250 top members of the Ansaru terrorist group in the operation and none of its operatives was lost he said…
“Special operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the Nigeria Police backed by the Special Forces of the Police Air wing, in a daring offensive operation, stormed one of the largest operational camps of the Ansaru Terror Group (also housing other bandits and kidnappers) located in Kurudu Forest, Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, and successfully neutralized over 250 high-profile members of the Ansaru terror group.” Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba said.
The operation was reportedly carried out by a host of tactical police units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Islamist terrorist group had claimed responsibility for the attack on the convoy of the Emir of Potiskum, Umar Bubaram, along the Kaduna-Zaria highway, killing three of his aides and injuring many others in January.
The group had in February 2013 kidnapped seven foreign nationals from a Lebanese construction company, Setraco in Kano.
What remains unclear is how the police could tell for sure that all the 250 people killed were terrorists.
Internal Security
The reign of bandits and kidnappers all over Nigeria has been a cause for concern as routes are being abandoned all over the country because attacks have become a daily affair. Though headed by an Inspector General who is considered to be stern and upright, the Nigerian police seem to be worlds away from curbing the attacks, even arrests made have little or no follow up.
Hence the National Assembly leadership after a closed-door meeting with the president on the security situation in the country had revealed that funding will be made available and recruitment for the Police force to improve internal security.
“There is the school of thought that says since we are talking about banditry, kidnapping, and murders, what have the armed forces got to do with that, anywhere in the world? So the question then arises that if he changes the service chiefs, does that address the issues of kidnapping and banditry? The army, navy and air force are outfits set up to tackle external aggression. It is the police that is set up for internal security, such as we are all witnessing…..we explained to Mr President that we have to increase funding, we have to recruit more.” Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamaila said.
The lawmakers in the House of Representatives also met with the Inspector General of the Police, Mohammed Adamu on Wednesday and discussed the modalities of community policing to aid the operatives.
Femi Gbajabiamaila had revealed that the lower chamber of the national assembly will fully back community policing, the latest of which is the South West security operation tagged ‘Amotekun’. While the legal modalities of the operation Amoetekun are being sorted out, a Northern Group has launched its security operation tagged ‘Shege Ka Fasa’.
Whatever decision being adopted by the federal government, be it funding for the police, recruitment of more officers or putting a stamp of approval on all forms of community police, actions need to be taken now and fast as the criminals are getting deadlier by the day.
