How Military Troops Are Tackling Bandits in N/West – Army GOC
Major General Godwin Mutkut, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 8th Division and Operation Hadarin Daji, credits his troops’ success in curtailing bandit attacks to a combination of well-planned strategies that prioritize civilian safety.
General Mutkut, who is also the Commander of the Joint Task Force (North West), disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday during a defence correspondents’ operational visit to the 8th Division Headquarters in Sokoto State.
The media outreach is to provide media with firsthand experience and insights into the operational activities and impact of the military in the region.
He explained how designating troops to locations, in collaboration with other security agencies, has yielded valuable intelligence.
“Our operations prioritize civilian safety. We take extensive precautions to minimize civilian casualties because protecting civilians is our core mission. They are central to a peaceful and thriving society.
“We actively discourage civilians from interacting with bandits and advise them to avoid bandit-infested areas. We even extend protection to their farms. Last year’s successful program, where we rotated troops to safeguard various communities during planting season, yielded a significant increase in harvests.
“This program exemplifies our commitment to civilian well-being and is a model worth replicating,” he stated.
General Mutkut further explained how they prioritize civilian safety before airstrikes.
“Our tactics prioritize civilian safety. Before any attack, we conduct thorough operations to separate terrorists from law-abiding citizens, minimizing civilian casualties.
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“Bandits often blend in with civilians, making identification difficult. Fortunately, some civilians who have witnessed their activities have fled their homes and villages to safer locations, providing us with crucial information.
“As for the bandits themselves, once pursued, they flee to the hills and caves for cover. Some of their tactics involve hiding in dug-up locations whenever aircraft fly overhead. Not all of them are guilty, however.
“There may be one or two kidnapped people forced to stay with them. In these cases, we take extra care to avoid civilian casualties during airstrikes. However, most of the time, we target known bandit enclaves where the real danger lies,” he said.
While commenting on the military operation in Bayaruwa, a village bordering Zamfara State, which took place a few months ago, Major General Mutkut detailed a heavy gunfight where troops neutralized a significant number of terrorists.
“Anyone claiming otherwise is simply uninformed. We in the military have clear intelligence on their locations, which are the same ones we’ve been bombing.
“The situation in Bayaruwa is a prime example. When accusations of civilian casualties arose, the truth is not everyone in Bayaruwa is a bandit, but a significant number are.
“If anyone claims otherwise, I challenge them to come with me to Bayaruwa. They will see for themselves, and their voices will be heard loud and clear.”
In his remarks, Deputy Director Coordination Media Operation Brigadier General Mohammed Dahiru Abumawashi, who led the team of defence correspondents, bridged the information gap between the media and the military on the military operation.
“Our goal is twofold: to provide a transparent picture of our operations and to foster a stronger relationship with the media.
“Granting media access to frontline units, we can prevent the manipulation of information by those who seek to discredit Nigeria. Direct interaction with our troops will ensure accurate reporting and a clearer understanding of our activities,” he said.
PRNigeria reported that the outreach also served as an opportunity to foster greater understanding and communication between the military and the media.
