Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Wednesday said that he has advocated for the provision of superior weapons to Nigeria army to confront armed bandits and kidnappers in the country.
Ishaku made this known when he received Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, General Officer Commander (GOC) 3rd Amourd Division Jos with his team of officers of the Operation Ayem-Akpatuma 2 in Government House Jalingo.
The governor noted that the bandits had acquired more sophisticated weapons, making it difficult to be confronted by soldiers.
According to him, we are talking to our political superiors to equip you with more superior arms to fight banditary and kidnappers.
He encouraged the army to give priority to the disarmament of bandits around southern part of the state and it’s neighboring Benue.
He recalled that the bandits attempted to capture Takum but failed due to the response from security agencies.
Ishaku urged security agencies to arrest just a kidnapper for him to use such as an example to many other kidnappers.
He said that the state had enacted the anti kidnaping prohibition law, waiting for the first culprit.
“We have enacted the anti-kidnapping prohibition law in the state and I have been waiting for the security to catch one for me.
“I will use such a culprit to send message to the rest of them.
“I am urging the military to disarm armed bandits who hold sophisticated weapons and not the locals who carry den-guns for their defense,’ He added.
The governor expressed his readiness to support the army to succeed in their mission.
He commended them for defending citizens against both the territorial and internal aggressions.
Earlier, Angbazo, who was represented by Brig. Gen. Briggs Daniel, Commander of the Machanical Brigade said that they were in the state to flush out criminals and to ensure stability in the zone.
He commended the governor for supporting the operation with bikes to enhance the Operation Ayem-Akpatuma due to the difficult terrain.
The GOC however, solicited the support of the governor in providing dig-out trenches outside the super camp located along Takum Wukari road in Takum.
He said that the super camp would provide a military cover for Ibi, Wukari,Donga and Takum.
He also said that the military civilian relations would be considered in the course of the operation.
He state that a desk office was established to entertain and address public complaints while the operation lasted.
Tgnews recalls that the Tiv/Jukun crisis which began on April 1st has lead to killings and wanton destruction of property worth billions of Naira.
The affected local government areas are Takum, Donga and Wukari.
