Special Military Forces to Extend Operations to Parts of Kaduna 

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Chris Musa, has said that the special military security outfit, ‘Operation Safe Haven’ will be extended to parts of Kaduna State to check the activities of bandits.

The CDS disclosed this during a courtesy call to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

He also said that the Nigerian military is set to change its mode of operation to involve both kinetic and non kinetic, as it intensifies efforts to tackle insecurity and terrorism acts across the country.

According to him, “Operation Safe Haven will be expanded to cover Birnin Gwari, Zangon Kataf, Sanga, Kaura and Giwa local government areas of Kaduna State as requested by the governor.

“We are going to expand Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari areas, what we are doing is that we had a meeting with task force leaders and theatre commanders to get more robust and more result oriented approach.

“We are changing the mode of operation from what it used to be, it would now be both kinetic and non kinetic,” Musa said.

He added that some gaps have been observed and they would soon be closed to stop terrorists from operating freely.

 “So we are going to close them down to make it difficult for the terrorists to move around and operate freely.”

According to him, “Everyone needs to come together and take ownership as we take the fight to the terrorists.

“Those who are smart among them will realise that it is time for them to surrender but for others who want to be stubborn, we would flush them out of Nigeria.

“We don’t want to flush them from one state to the other, we want to send them out of our country.

“We are going through challenging times economically and security wise, but if you don’t go through challenges you may not discover who you are.

“I know we are going to come out stronger with your leadership and the support of your team.

“What we are going through is momentary, we will soon find peace.

Responding, Governor Sani extolled the virtues of the CDS, noting that he is a man of valour who has thrived and succeeded on all the assignments given to him.

“We are excited about your appointment. Your outstanding career is a source of pride and inspiration to us.

“You are one of the most successful theatre commanders and you left an indelible mark in the North-east.

“We want to appeal for a prolonged stay of the Special Forces and for the expansion of Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna to Kafanchan, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Sanga, Birnin Gwari, Giwa areas to restrict bandits from using our state as a refuge,” the governor requested.