By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Military has lamented that delay in reporting some cases of kidnapping to Security Agencies is hampering rescue efforts.
It declared kidnappers as terrorists, and not bandits for holding citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world.
Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. General Edward Buba made the declaration on Thursday, during the bi-weekly press briefing on the ongoing counter insurgency war.
Maj. General Buba lamented cases of citizens being abducted in the North East, North West and North Central theatres of operations.
“These citizens were abducted by a brutal and blood tasty group that should only be addressed as terrorists, and not bandits. I repeat, these are terrorists and not bandits.”
He confirmed that the military is leveraging on support from other countries to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country.
“We have leveraged on our international partners for support. Accordingly, they are providing the necessary support including intelligence that is giving us the advantage in dealing with the ugly situation.
He said the hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war.
“These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reached. The situation is however indicative of the desperation of these terrorists to detour troops onslaught by all means.
According to Maj. General Buba three major significant abduction cases which includes on 9 March 2024, terrorist invaded and kidnapped 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
“The incident, which took place about 0100hrs was not reported to troops until about 1500hrs of same day. The late reporting of the incident affected troops response time in the ongoing search and rescue effort.
“Also on 3 March 2024, troops received information from coordinator Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) about suspected abduction of unknown number of IDPs by suspected terrorists in Gamboru Ngala LGA of Borno State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that IDPs left camp to undisclosed location to fetch firewood beyond the permissible distance. They reportedly did not notify the camp authorities of their movement.
“It was later at about 2030hrs at night, when the IDPs did not return to camp that alarm was raised as to their possible abduction by terrorist.
“It was at that stage that troops were notified of the incident. The standard practice was for troops to be notified prior to any movement of IDPs beyond the permissible distance of 5-7 kms from their camp.
“The IDPs reportedly went beyond the permissible distance to get firewood as a result of deforestation around their camp. The terrorist abducted 112 IDPs in the process. Nevertheless, effort is ongoing to get back the hostages.
“The incident was not reported until several hours after the occurrence. The delayed reporting of the incident adversely affected troops response time in the ongoing search and rescue effort.
“These abduction cases were carried out due to cowardice exhibited by terrorists going for such soft targets to impede troops advances.
“I assure you that we will not rest until they are returned because in recent times troops have decimated several of the terrorist leaders, commander and foot soldiers in and fast closing in one several others.
“Given the hostage situation, it can be deduced that the search and rescue effort was grossly affected by the none timely notification of troops of the incident. Nevertheless, I can assure you that we will not rest until these hostages are returned.”
