… As Army Gen. says Military remains at the forefront in tackling insecurity***

Troops of Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Saturday’s encounter at Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said that the fierce encounter which was supported by the Air Component of OPHK had deployed five A-Jet, two A-29, two Dragon combat vehicles and nine Gun Trucks and APC against the terrorists.

He disclosed that a gallant senior officer, Brig.-Gen. Dzarma Zirkusu and three soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice having successfully defended the civilians in the town.

Nwachukwu said the deceased officer and the soldiers exhibited rare displays of gallantry as they provided reinforcement in a counteroffensive against the terrorists and successfully defended the location.

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He said the families of the senior officer and soldiers had been contacted.

According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has deeply commiserated with the families and relations of the fallen heroes.

Yahaya said the gallant officer and soldiers courageously defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians even at the expense of their own lives.

He also directed that the troops continued in the ferocious counter-offensive and hot pursuit to eliminate the remnant of the fleeing terrorists.

In another development, the Force Commander (FC), Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, says the Nigerian armed forces have remained at the forefront in tackling the myriad of security threats confronting the nation.

Aligbe stated this at an interactive session with the Meyetti Allah’s Cattle Breeders Association(MACBAN) Nasarawa State Chapter held in Makurdi, Benue state.

The Deputy Director, Defence Information, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja.

The force commander said the military had been leading the war against all forms of criminalities, adding that the constitution had vested it with mandate of protecting lives and property of every Nigerian.

He said the security parley was in continuation of the peace initiative through consultation and engagements between the stakeholders and the military towards proffering lasting solutions to the security challenges in the two states.

Aligbe said the ongoing military engagement was crucial in addressing the wave of insecurity in the North Central zone, occasioned by farmers/herders and communal clashes, adding that inputs of all parties were required towards sustainable peace and progress.

He thanked MACBAN members for being open-minded in making suggestions to the security threats, promising that there would be interventions in the security dispositions.

He also promised to elicit the same peace cooperation from the Benue State livestock Guard to help cement the proposed peace and stability within the two states.

Aligbe, however, commended Field Commanders for their professionalism and doggedness in the discharge of their duties.

The Chairman, MACBAN, Nasarawa State Chapter, Alhaji Bala Baou, acknowledged the critical roles being played by the military in the defence and security of the state.

Baou expressed optimism that critical issues bordering on farmers and herders crisis, cattle rustling and communal clashes would be a thing of the past soonest from the interaction with the commander.

He solicited support from the commander in ensuring peace and stability within the two states, adding that MACBAN was grateful for giving them opportunity to state their problems and heed to their plights.

According to him, their major challenges include excessive charges from the Benue State Livestock Guard and border demarcation among the two states which is not properly mapped, causing the herders to graze from Nasarawa into Benue territory without them knowing.

He expressed strong belief that the interaction would help address all issues and restore normalcy to the two states.