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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Defence raises anti-militia task force for Rivers
TO PREVENT the activities of armed militias in Rivers State from turning into a full blown insurrection, the Defence Headquarters has dissolved and replaced the joint security team with a special task force to contain the militants.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has warned that the armed forces should not be involved in prosecuting the agenda of ambitious politicians, adding that security forces should thoroughly analyse the circumstances that culminated in the recent spate of violence.
A statement issued by Army Public Relations Officer, Captain O.G Kanu, said the special joint task force, code named "Operation Flush out 3", comprises the Army from 2 Brigade, Navy from NNS Pathfinder, the Air Force of the 97 Special Operations Group and government security agencies in Rivers State.
Kanu, explaining the mission of the task force, said it was to quell acts of insurrection by militia groups in the state. According to him, the team would be headed by the Commander 2 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Zakariah Yaduma and the operational headquarters of the task force is the 2 Brigade Barracks in Port Harcourt.
"The joint task force has a mandate to cleanse the state of all forms of armed banditry and to guarantee security of lives and property and restoration of law and order. The new outfit thus replaces the existing joint internal security operations in the state" said Kanu.
Concerned that the heavy presence of military personnel mounting checks in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State might generate anxiety, Kanu said the
reinforced movement of military personnel, helicopters and other security agencies was part of government's effort to rid the state of armed gangsterism. He then urged the people to cooperate with the joint task force.
The IYC President Emmanuel Jonjon, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, disclosed that contact had been made with the leaders of two arm groups in some parts of Rivers State, Ateke Tom and Asari Dokubo and that both men had expressed willingness to resolve their difference through any non-political process.
Distancing the IYC from the current mayhem in the state, Jonjon explained that he had come into office when virtually every structure of the organisation had collapsed into political gangs, through the subtle political machination and internal collaboration from purpose-lacking and less insightful leadership.
He said the factors that led to the emergence of Asari and Ateke Tom as factional warlords were the creation of the same political process.
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