Nigerian Air force, Army in joint Operations as Zamfara blood shedding thickens
The Nigeria Army has launched ‘Operation Harbin Kunama III’ to flush out bandits and insurgents laying siege on forests in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara state.
In a bid to recover 14 forests and game reserves that have become haven for kidnappers and terrorists within the three states, the Nigeria Army has intensified efforts to cover majority of the forests and restore sanity to the affected areas. The promising operation will last till June 27, 2019.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai made this known while delivering a keynote address at a seminar organised by the army headquarters on regimentation and combating security challenges associated with forests and protected areas.
Buratai, who listed the affected forests as Kuyan Bana, Dan Saudau and Subudu (Zamfara); Pandogari and Kagara (Niger); Allargano, Sambisa and Chingurmi-Bugama (Borno), said he had directed that the Sambisa forest be turned into an ‘Ecosystem Resort Centre where war relics of the past few years in the North-East will be maintained as historical sites for tourism.’
He said: ‘National parks are designated areas that are defined to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated services and cultural values.
‘These parks provide a safe haven for our animals and native plants. They also serve as places of tourism that could be a source of foreign exchange earnings. Unfortunately, our parks are now sanctuaries for criminals, kidnappers and terrorists.
In similar vein, the Nigerian Air force has established close coordination with sisters’ services and other security agencies in order to sustain its air strike operation to neutralise the bandits and curtail their criminal activities in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states.
POSTED BY OYEDEYI IMOLEAYO
