The Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai says only the military and security operatives cannot silence the bandits without the total commitment of the communities whose duty it is to give vital information to the security operatives.
The Army chief disclosed this at the army Special Super Camp iv, Faskari, in Katsina State, when he addressed newsmen.
He said the military has, however, tried to stabilize their activities despite all odds.
“We are dealing with the bandits and criminals tactfully because they understand every nook and corner of the forests in the Northwest” he lamented.
“Where the communities come in is in the area of giving vital information to the security operatives and military so as to flush out the bandits from the zone”
According to him, the camp was supposed to have been closed by December this year, stressing that the security situation has forced the military authority to extend the program to March 2021, pointing out that the security situation would determine the next line of action.
“The army has had a robust relationship with the Air force, Civil Defense, and Police and the relationship would be sustained unabated”
According to Buratai, if vital information is given to the security operatives and military, especially timely intelligence, the military and other security operatives can battle the unrepentant bandits on fire for fire operation.
He, however, commended the support given by the Northwest governments in the fight against bandits, pointing out that the military and other security agencies are not sleeping because of the insecurity situation that has ravaged the entire north-west.
