• ‘Boko Haram destroyed 6,608 health centres, others in Borno’
• Troops kill one bandit, arrest four in Benue, Nasarawa
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reassured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and adjoining states that security operatives are on red alert to combat crime and ensure effective surveillance of the FCT and the 36 states of the country.
The assurance was sequel to the recent warning by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of a possible attack on Abuja.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. John Enenche, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, noted that the armed forces were working with other security and response agencies to ensure safety.
“The general public is thus advised to go about their lawful businesses undeterred,” he added.
SADLY, Boko Haram has torched 6,608 municipal buildings, health centres and classrooms.
Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, said that during the 11-year terrorism, about 59,311 children were orphaned and 59,213 women widowed from various towns and villages.
Kadafur disclosed this on Sunday in Maiduguri when the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq, visited the state to deliver 7,820 tonnes of food to those affected by the crisis.
Breaking down the devastation, he said: “We’ve lost over 5,744 classrooms in tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools across the state. Over 664 municipal buildings were also destroyed, but they have been re-built and we are still rebuilding some.
“We have also lost over 220 community health centres during Boko Haram activities in 22 affected councils.”
MEANWHILE, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed one-armed bandit and arrested four others in two daring raids at identified hideouts in Benue and Nasarawa states.
Enenche disclosed yesterday in Abuja that the raid was in continuation of the aggressive kinetic operations against armed banditry, cattle rustling and sundry crimes in the North Central zone.
He said: “In one of the operations conducted on September 6, 2020, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke deployed at Guma in Benue and Keana in Nasarawa conducted a dawn raid at identified armed bandits’ camp in Guma forest along the Benue/Nasarawa border following a tip-off.”
“Adopting an aggressive posture and profile, the gallant troops stormed the location and engaged the bandits in a firefight, overwhelming them with superior fire. In the process, troops neutralised one bandit while others fled with gunshot wounds into the forest. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, one locally-made pistol and three mobile phones at the scene, while the camp was subsequently destroyed.
He army chief added that troops of Sector 1 deployed at Gagbe in Gwer West Council of Benue conducted another dawn raid on another suspected armed bandits’ hideout at Tse Agi in the general area.
“The gallant troops stormed the hideout and apprehended four suspects at the scene while one AK 47 rifle, two AK-47 rifle magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition were also recovered at the location.
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