By Nigerian Army Launches ‘Operation Ayem Akpatuma Against Fulani Herdsmen
The Nigerian Army has announced the official launching of a special operation, code named, AYEM AKPATUMA, targeted at herdsmen militia group which have caused death of several people across Benue and Taraba States.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Chief of Training and Operations of Army, Major General D D Ahmadu. He disclosed that the operation will cover Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States. He added that the Nigerian Army has conducted several training for its personnel in different geopolitical zones in order to tackle all cases relating to armed banditry, herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on host communities.
The statement read, “More so, Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA has become more expedient due to upsurge in cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna and Niger States as well as other sundry crimes in Kogi State and herdsmen/farmers clashes and attacks on innocent members of our communities particularly in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States by armed militias. These security challenges have continued unabatedly in these States despite the efforts by sister security agencies to curb them.
“The need for troops to be exercised, refreshed and to imbibe the requisite skills to cope with these emerging security challenges within the 1 and 3 Divisions including HQ CAR, Gds Bde and 707 SF Bde Areas of Responsibility in aid of civil authority calls for this exercise.”
The statement added that the exercise will be conducted in conjunction with other security agencies such as Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. It will also afford the troops an opportunity to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias perpetrating criminal acts in these States and its environs.
Additionally, Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA is also conceptualized to dovetail into real time operations thereby fulfilling both training and operations objectives of sharpening operational skills of personnel as well as providing an avenue to conduct operations against violent criminals when called upon.
It added, “It is pertinent to note that Exercise AYEM AKPATUMA is set to be another remarkable exercise that would make the nation proud of the Nigerian Army’s determination at sustaining its constitutional role of defending the territorial integrity of the nation as well as its commitment to aid the civil authority to bring about peace and security in troubled areas. In this regard, members of the public especially the residents of Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States are enjoined not to panic as the security, safety and well-being of innocent and law abiding citizens have been deliberately factored in the planning of this exercise.”
