Bauchi Gov Charges Soldiers to Crack Down on Criminals

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has urged the Joint Task Force, Operation Safe Haven/Operation Enduring Peace, to step up intelligence gathering and ensure that all criminal elements operating in the state are brought to book. The governor made this call when he received the newly deployed General Officer Commanding, 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Jos, and Commander of Operation Safe Haven/Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, at the Government House in Bauchi. According to Governor Mohammed, the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Bauchi must not be compromised by the activities of criminals, and the state government will continue to support security agencies in their efforts to tackle insecurity. He noted that illegal mining is a major driver of terrorism and insecurity in the state, and warned that criminal networks are using mining activities to finance violence in rural communities. The governor stated, 'Your visit is very timely and very auspicious to us. This has sent a clear message to criminal elements that Bauchi State will never be a safe haven for them and, by extension, the country.' Governor Mohammed expressed his confidence in the capacity, discipline, and bravery of the Nigerian Army, saying, 'I want to state unequivocally that the Bauchi State Government has absolute confidence in the capacity, discipline and bravery of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army deserves our collective commendation, not criticism, as they leave their families behind to protect ours. For that, the people of Bauchi State say thank you.' He lamented the activities of bandits and illegal miners, who are threatening the state's food security and economic survival by attacking communities and preventing farmers from accessing their farmlands. The governor declared, 'Criminal elements, bandits and illegal miners are perpetrating crimes in our land. Innocent citizens are being driven from their homes. Our farmers are being terrorised on their farmlands. This is a direct threat to our food security and our economic survival.' Governor Mohammed called for strengthened collaboration among states that share borders to effectively neutralise banditry and dismantle illegal mining cartels that fuel insecurity in rural areas. He also urged the soldiers to intensify their intelligence gathering, saying, 'By strengthening collaboration among states that share borders, we can effectively neutralise banditry and dismantle illegal mining cartels that fuel insecurity in our rural areas. Even some of our own stakeholders are partners with illegal miners because of the huge economic benefits. I want you to intensify your intelligence. Don’t spare anybody. Even if my son is involved in illegal mining, deal with him decisively.' Earlier, Major General Dangana had said that his visit to Bauchi was part of his familiarisation tour, which began two weeks ago, after assuming office as Commander of Operation Safe Haven and Operation Enduring Peace. According to him, the visit was aimed at assessing the security situation, identifying operational challenges, and reviewing existing strategies to improve security across the area of responsibility. Major General Dangana said, 'I took over the command just two weeks ago, and, of course, Operation Enduring Peace. For that reason, I asked my formations to assess the situation in those areas, check their requirements and challenges and, of course, give my direction on what should be done. We are going to review our strategies and see how best we can secure our people.'