BARELY 24 hours to his departure for the United Kingdom for a 10 working day holiday, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received a request for more military equipment to curtail insecurity in the country.
The request came during a meeting of the National Security Council he presided over at the presidential villa, Abuja.
It was put to the council by the Minister of Defence, Mannir Dan-Ali who briefed the council on efforts by the military to tackle the “turbulent security situation in the country.”
He said: “In view of the engagement of troops in various internal security operations across the country the Honourable Minister requested for provision of more equipment for the Armed Forces in order to sustain the tempo in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges across the country.”
According to a statement distributed by the minister to State House correspondents after the meeting, Dan-Ali he reminded the council that the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with other security agencies “are doing a lot to address the turbulent security situation in the country.”
He stated: “In order to forestall future security incidences in Zamfara, Sokoto and Birnin-Gwari axis Operation Sharan Daji has been extended to cover up to the fringes of Niger border.
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“The operation has recently been reinforced with more troops from the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police and Department of State Services and is supported by the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing of 207 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force.
“The joint operation has successfully arrested some suspected armed bandits and recovered arms and ammunition.
“Similarly, in other to checkmate the criminal activities along Abuja-Kaduna highway, security agencies have been directed to increase patrols along the axis to address cases of attacks and kidnappings
“There was a review of Operation Safe Haven leading to appointment of a new Commander in the North Central.
“The Honourable Minister also reiterated the need for the deployment of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in all areas liberated by the military in the North-East in order to consolidate on the gains of military operations as well as to enable the military push forward in its clearance operations.
“In the South-South, Honourable Minister of Defence informed the council that Operation Delta Safe has sustained its operations against illegal activities in the Niger Delta region with resultant reduction in illegal oil bunkering, militancy and pipeline vandalism.”
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