Military to set up joint force to curb attacks

This is coming on the heels of the recent killings carried out by suspected herdsmen in a community in Enugu state.

Punch reports that the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, said “The ideas of joint operation will always be there because it is a common knowledge that it is not a one service business. It must involve all other security agencies.

“Each and every one of us has a role to play: physical security, giving information, synergising with other stakeholders. That is what we are doing in the North-East and the Niger Delta and other parts. It would involve not only the military.”

Abubakar said the operation will be the same as others set up to fight against terrorists in the North-East and militants in the Niger-Delta.

He also said “The current resurgence of this issue of herdsmen is something which must be given a priority now that there is a glaring security threats to lives and property which the Armed Forces and other security agencies cannot close their eyes to.

“All efforts are now on towards ensuring that there is security of lives and property in the general area where such activities of herdsmen are being carried out.”

The defence spokesman also said the military is acting on President Buhari's orders.

“Just of recent, the President has given us a directive and it is something which we must comply with and in other cases, we deploy our men through operations such as the one against cattle rustling, Operation Sharandaji, which is to ensure that no herdsmen involved in criminal activities are spared,” Abubakar said.

Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has also condemned attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

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