Military
Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Maj. Gen. Richard Gyane has described violent extremism and terrorism (VET) as the biggest threat to the ECOWAS subregion, Africa and humanity.
Gyane stated this in Abuja during a chat with journalists during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organized by KAIPTC on Wednesday.
The Commandant said that the security challenges in West Africa had informed KAIPTC’s decision to organize the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.
He said that the training, organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.
Gyane said: “If you look at our subregion now, violent extremism is a big threat to us; If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.
“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.
“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.
“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the subregion,” he said.
He noted that KAIPTC engages and empowers women and youth through its training programs because when people are empowered, it becomes difficult for VET groups, whose aim is to radicalize the people and take over their countries, to do so.
He however noted that no country could tackle VET alone, and stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders beyond the security space in order to curb VET’s surging scourge in West Africa and Africa at large.
Gyane said that, given the porous borders of ECOWAS countries, and the need for them to cooperate and share intelligence, ECOWAS member states should do everything possible to bring on board Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who are threatening to quit the bloc.
“It is not good for the subregion to have a divided front, and I think whatever we need to do to bring on board these countries, who want to separate themselves from the subregion, is very necessary.
“ECOWAS has done well in certain areas, especially the free movement of persons protocol and I think within the continent of Africa, ECOWAS has done so well.
“But I think we need to collaborate more beyond even the security space. I would want to see us one day using the same currency and all that.
“We should work more as one homogeneous subregion to ensure that people should be free to live and work wherever they are and do business.
“When we do that, it can help us to control violent extremism and terrorism,” Gyane added.
Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threat to ECOWAS subregion —Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre
Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have neutralised an armed militia in Plateau State after he attempted to disarm a soldier during an operation.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred on Sept. 5 during a follow-up operation to a hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
A day earlier, on Sept. 4, troops had arrested the militia at Kaskra with an AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to involvement in several criminal activities within Barkin Ladi and volunteered to lead troops to the hideout of his cohorts to recover weapons.
Sources said that while the search was ongoing at the hideout, the militia made a desperate attempt to snatch a soldier’s rifle in order to escape.
“He was swiftly overpowered and neutralised by the troops in the process,” one of the sources said.
The remains of the deceased suspect were deposited at a hospital morgue, while follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more weapons.
The sources reaffirmed military’s commitment to sustain the momentum against armed militias and other criminal elements in Plateau, stressing that no effort would be spared in restoring peace and stability across the Joint Operations Area.
Troops neutralise armed militia in Plateau after failed escape attempt
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.
The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.
Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by ISWAP terrorists on their Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gajigana, Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola Makama reports that the attack occurred at about 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday.
A reinforcement team joined the operation and engaged the insurgents in a clearance operation.
Sources told Zagazola that one Wednesday that several terrorists were killed while one soldier paid the supreme price in action, while another sustained injuries.
The injured personnel has since been evacuated for medical attention, while the remains of the fallen hero were moved to the 7 Division Military Morgue in Maiduguri.
Items recovered from the terrorists during exploitation include AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Baofeng radios, and belted ammunition for a machine gun.
The sources added that the terrorists, who withdrew in disarray, were believed to have suffered several casualties, though the exact figure was not confirmed.
They explained that the general security situation in the area remains calm but unpredictable.
Troops repel Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Gajigana, Borno
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