The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor has disclosed that more than two hundred and fifty bandits have so far been neutralised in its fight against insecurity in the North-Western part of the country.

General Lucky Irabor said this on Thursday, at the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team in Abuja. 

He said:“The Primary objective of Government is to ensure the peace and wellbeing of every citizen, so we undertake our operations and activities to ensure there is peace, development and the provision of amenities that aggregate to governance.  

“We are responsible for the security content in that regard so to that extent, looking at the numbers, from the last report that I got on Monday, we have neutralised over 250 of the bandits, we have equally arrested well over 600 and because it is a continuous thing, the figures might also change.”

General Irabor assured Nigerians of the Military's resolve to fight the bandits and other criminals troubling some parts of the country to a stand still.

“We will continue to do what we are meant to do, that is why we are still there although not all share the fact that we have done very well but many who understand the issues applaud the actions we have taken both in the North-east and North-West and we have had many compliments with regards to that.

“We will not be distracted. We will remain resolute and undaunted while engaging the criminals, to see that we scale up our operations not just in the Nort-East or South-West, but across the country,” he affirmed.

He also used the opportunity to call on media practitioners to assist in efficiently monitor the activities of aid agencies working in the war torn areas of the country, with a touch of balance and professionalism. 

“I applaud the actions of the various aid agencies that work within the theatres of interest to us. We believe that this should also attract your attention such that you will help us to police the police as it were. If you do so, then of course you will be contributing to the overall peace and security of our country. Journalists should help us to keep an eye on them,” General Irabor disclosed.

The Chief of Defence Staff also said over 1800 ex-Boko Haram fighters have so far downed their weapons, surrendered and asked for peace. He called on stakeholders and all citizens to co-operate with security agencies in the fight against terrorism and banditary.

He thanked the Federal Government for the huge financial support it gives to the Miliatry and asked that the tempo should be sustained. He assured that the Miliary under his supervision leaves no stone unturned in terms of following the public procurement act to the letters, as a way to ensure prudence and transparency.

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