The Nigerian Army, NA, has alerted the general public on the movement of fleeing bandits and other criminal elements, to safe havens, as a result of the heat from the operations of Nigerian troops.
The warning, communicated in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, DAPR, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, follows the arrest by troops, on Sunday, of a fleeing bandit during a vehicle stop and search operation along Mokwa-Jebba road.
The arrest was effected at about 9:00pm, when the troops intercepted a car traveling from Zuru to Ibadan. The vigilant troops spotted an occupant of the vehicle, who claimed to be Sgt. Aminu Sule.
Upon a body search, the occupant was found to be in possession of a pair of camouflage uniform, military boots, knife and substance suspected to be charms.
On further interrogation, the suspect, who confessed to be traveling to Ogbomosho in Oyo state, further claimed that the uniform and boots belonged to his brother who is a soldier.
On close scrutiny of the suspect, however, he was discovered to be fleeing from the ongoing operations in Niger state to a safe haven.
The suspect was immediately apprehended and handed over to the police at Mokwa for further investigation.
Consequently, members of the public, particularly around Niger and contiguous states are enjoined to be vigilant and report any suspected movement of fleeing bandits, to security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Major General Faruk Yahaya, has assured law abiding citizens of Niger State and indeed Nigeria of the safety of their lives and property.
He further enjoined them to be wary of such sinister movements by fleeing bandits and continue to support the security agencies with useful information to enable them maintain peace and security of the country.
