Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, on Thursday, said the armed forces had killed at least 1,770 terrorists and arrested 3,070 others in the last three years across five North West states.
He gave the figure in Katsina during a military sensitisation exercise for residents of Batsari and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas.
The exercise tagged, ‘Military Diplomacy Campaign to Communities and Cultural Groups Across Nigeria, focuses on ‘Strengthening Community Cooperation for National Security’.
The CDS was represented by the Deputy Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Dahiru Abu-Mahawashi.
He explained that the military had also seized over 1,000 different types of weapons, as well as 12,000 different bullets from the criminals.
He stated, “More than 2,515 victims were rescued during various operations within the period in Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
“The army is doing its best in fighting the security situation, as a series of successes have been recorded, not only across the North-West states, but the country as a whole.
“This fight for peace is not just for the military, it is a fight that we must all join together, therefore, report suspicious activities, protect one another,m and guide your youths.
“We must remember that peace does not grow in silence, it grows in unity. Let us speak, let us listen and let us forgive, because without forgiveness, we cannot heal.
“Together, we are stronger than anyone; together, we can silence the sound of violence with the voice of peace.”
The CDS noted that the successes led to a one-day sensitisation for residents of various communities in Batsari and Dutsin-Ma Local Government Areas.
Musa reassured residents that the army is re-strategising to restore peace to all corners of the frontline communities.
Some of the community members, who spoke during the exercise, revealed that peace had returned to some communities due to the recent dialogue with repentant criminals, especially in Batsari Local Government Area.
A resident, Mallam Lawal Rabi’u, however, expressed concern, saying bandits from the neighbouring areas where such dialogue did not take place continue to attack them on a regular basis.
