Military, intelligence agencies step up strategy to end kidnappings, banditry

The military high command and intelligence agencies are working on a grand plan involving a joint-operational strategy to stem the rampant kidnappings of schoolchildren in the North, investigation has revealed.

Sources told THISDAY that the military, intelligence organisations and other security agencies were working on a grand plan that would stem armed banditry, insurgency and kidnapping following reports that the crimes were being masterminded by some influential people.

One of the sources said intelligence gathered so far pointed to the existence of active sponsors of the ongoing mass kidnappings of schoolchildren.

“There is a holistic operational arrangement coming out. All these things are sponsored. Farmers cannot go to their farms; they cannot go and cultivate their farmlands.

“Now, they came to the education sector. They have started going to all these schools.

“But with the intelligence dragnet all over the place, something is being done about it. A grand joint operational arrangement is underway,” he said.

The bandits have been on the rampage in the few weeks, abducting pupils and others in Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger States, among others.

Last Thursday, they had kidnapped 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Troops of Quick Response Force of 1 Division, Nigerian Army had on Friday foiled an attempt by the bandits to kidnap some students of Turkish International Secondary School located in Rigachikun, Kaduna State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, said following the firefight, troops were able to rescue 180 persons, comprising of 132 male students, 40 female students and eight civilian staff.

Another attempt to kidnap pupils of Government Science Secondary School, Ikara in Ikara Local Government Area of the state was foiled on Sunday. (THISDAY)