Northern senators have demanded an immediate military offensive to dislodge insurgents from the Kopre-Sambisa corridor in Adamawa State. This demand comes after attacks on two military battalions that resulted in the deaths of soldiers, a forest guard, and civilians. The senators, under the Northern Senators Forum, also called on the Federal Government and Defence Headquarters to reinforce troops in the area.
The attacks on the 226 Battalion in Garkida and 232 Battalion in Garaha occurred on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. According to the chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, the attacks affected several communities across Hong and Gombi local government areas. These communities include Garaha, Dabna, Bangna, Mubang, Zah, Bitirhuya, Kwapre, Mayo Ladde, Gaya-Dlang, Garkida, Boima, and Guyaku.
Yar’Adua described the incidents as an assault not only on Adamawa and the North but on Nigeria as a whole. He commiserated with the families of those killed and affected by the attacks. The attacks resulted in killings, abductions of women and children, burning of places of worship, destruction of properties, and the displacement of hundreds of families.
The Northern Senators Forum stands in solidarity with the people of Adamawa State and condemned the attacks in the strongest terms. The senators called on the Federal Government and Defence Headquarters to urgently reinforce security presence in the Kopre-Sambisa corridor. They also urged the adoption of a unified, proactive strategy to flush out these criminal enclaves.
In addition to the demand for military action, the senators also called on the National Emergency Management Agency and the North East Development Commission to provide relief materials to residents displaced by the attacks. They urged residents of the affected communities to continue providing security agencies with actionable information to help prevent further attacks.
The chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, made the demand in a statement on Sunday. Yar’Adua emphasized that the attacks targeted not just Adamawa State but the North and the Nigerian nation as a whole. The senators’ statement reflects their commitment to supporting the people of Adamawa State in this challenging time.
The attacks have left a significant impact on the affected communities, with many residents forced to flee their ancestral homes on the eve of Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary. The senators’ call for action underscores the need for a coordinated response to address the growing insecurity in the region and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected populations.
Key points
- Northern senators demand immediate military action against insurgents in Adamawa State.
- The attacks resulted in the deaths of soldiers, a forest guard, and civilians, and displaced hundreds of families.
- The senators also called for relief materials to be provided to displaced residents and for continued community support for security agencies.
