Saidu urges security bodies to flush out disloyal personnel

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Joint Military Task Force (JTF) patroling the streets of the restive northeastern Nigerian town of Maiduguri, Borno State. AFP photos

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Says govt should tighten regulation around mining in Zamfara

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By Jimitota Onoyume

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Arewa leader in the south Alhaji Musa Saidu has enjoined the high command of the military and other security agencies to flush out disloyal personnel in their midst as they combat banditry and terrorism in the country, warning that it was high time they were kicked out.

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Saidu made the appeal in a chat with the Vanguard on the phone, stressing that those who fail to be committed to the fight against banditry and terrorism while in service should know that they could later be consumed by the twin monster.

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He said security operatives should not allow ethnic or religious sentiments to override their commitment to their constitutional duty to flush out unwanted criminal elements in the society.

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He said there had been several media reports of alleged internal betrayal during military operations against insurgents , pleading that those behind such actions should be fished out and dealt with accordingly.

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“We read some soldiers say they were not authorized to confront bandits . Well ! The political soldiers who refused to be soldiers are seeing the results of their actions. The killing of soldiers have sent messages to those in service over what they refuse to fight. If our soldiers can go to Sudan , Congo , foreign missions and they excel. Nigerians wonder why they can’t overcome problems in their villages . When you use your office, use it well”, he said.

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Saidu said the Zamfara state and the federal governments should exercise stronger regulation over the mining activities in Zamfara state, stressing that it would help address issues of banditry and terrorism in the north West region.

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According to him, the seeming weak regulation over the mining activities on the path of the governments was also fueling the rise of armed groups around the mining sites and the region.

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While calling for a federal government’s probe of funds appropriated for military operations in the country Saidu also advised the Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle and Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari representing Zamfara West Senatorial District to do more in the fight against banditry and terrorism in their state.

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Saidu further mourned the death of a former army spokesman Major General Rabe Abubakar rtd who died in the custody of his abductors few days ago , appealing also for the unconditional release of the wife kidnapped with him on May 30th if she was still with the kidnappers.

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He commended Tantita Security Services Nigeria limited, TSNNL for the success in the fight against illegal oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region, adding that the government should also be looking at an arrangement that would support the military to fight insurgency in the north.

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” Fight against illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta became more successful when Tantita Security Services Nigeria limited was brought in to work with the military. Tantita has made the Rivers, ocean very clean . The changes and impacts of Tantita are clear for all to see “, he added.

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