The Defence Headquarters of the Nigerian Army has described informants as a greater threat to national security than insurgents and bandits, stressing that their activities remain a major obstacle to ongoing military operations in the North-East and North-West.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Ismail Gusau, stated this in Birnin Kebbi during an interactive session with journalists, where he sought media collaboration in the fight against insecurity across the northern region.
According to him, his visit to Kebbi was at the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to engage the media, traditional rulers, and residents in order to prevent the escalation of insecurity in the North-West to the level of the North-East.
“We decided to come here to interface with you, journalists, to support us in achieving our set goals,” he said, urging the press to publish reports that would boost the morale of troops on the frontlines rather than discourage them.
Gusau disclosed that beyond the military base already established in Kebbi, plans were underway to create an Army brigade to further strengthen security in the state. He, however, lamented that the efforts of security forces were often undermined by informants, who “are everywhere and in every place.”
The Defence spokesman emphasized that the fight against insurgency cannot be won by the military alone. “The Army can only contribute 30 percent. The remaining 70 percent rests on the shoulders of citizens, whose support can determine the success or failure of this fight,” he noted.
Gusau further revealed that despite challenges, at least 120 insurgents have surrendered through the safe corridor programme. He clarified that the military does not negotiate peace deals but only receives fighters who surrender after reaching agreements with relevant authorities.
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