The 2 Division, Nigerian Army said it has commenced operations to effectively tackle incidences of kidnapping and illegal mining within its areas of responsibility.
The Division’s Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Polycard Okoye, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan.
Okoye said the operation codenamed “OPERATION OMI GBONA” was being conducted by the division’s Garrison in Ibadan due to the growing incidences of kidnapping, illegal mining, armed robbery and other crimes, currently prevalent in the area.
‘The influx of these criminal gangs was as a result of the Nigerian Army’s sustained offensive operations against them in the North West and North Central Regions.
” Consequently, they search for nearest possible safe havens to continue their criminal activities; hence their obvious presence in the South West region,” he said.
According to Okoye, the activities of these criminals, constitute severe threats to the security of the region and can impact negatively on the socio – economic activities of law abiding citizens of the region and Nigeria at large.
He said the operation was aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action and restoring law and order in aid of civil authority and create enabling environment for socio – economic activities to thrive in the region.
Accordingly, ” the movement of military troops will be noticed around the old Oyo National Park as well as suspected forests where the criminals are believed to be hiding.”
He urged the general public not to panic on sighting the movement of military troops but to go about their legitimate businesses.
Okoye assured the citizens that actions of troops would be in the overall interest of all legitimate citizens of the region and the nation at large. ●NAN