Nigerian Army Pursues a Notorious Terrorist Kingpin

GOC URGES TROOPS TO APPREHEND TAWASE AGWAZA ALIAS GANA - A NOTORIOUS TERRORIST KINGPIN
In consideration of the volatile security situation within 93 Battalion Area of Responsibility (AOR) occasioned by the activities of armed bandits, robbers, kidnappers, cattle rustlers and communal clashes among other menaces, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division (GOC) Nigerian Army (NA) Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar undertook an operational visit of the Unit to further appraise its operational capabilities and encourage them to brace up for the evident security challenges in their AOR.

While addressing officers and soldiers of the Battalion, the GOC reminded them of the vastness and porosity of the Battalion’s AOR and the necessity to do more in the service of the nation.

“Your AOR comprises six major Local Government Areas of Taraba State namely; Takum, Donga, Ibi, Kurmi, Ussa and Wukari….and you are aware of how some of the communities have become centers for crisis, therefore, we must intensify our efforts to ensure predominance of peace and security in these areas” – General Abubakar stated.

In a related development, the GOC used the opportunity of the visit to interact with members of a Special Task Force comprising of selected personnel of the Nigerian Army, Police and State Security Services. The Task Force with its operational Headquarters in 93 Battalion Takum is specially formed with the mandate to halt or checkmate the activities of criminals, kidnappers, cattle poachers and other armed bandits across Taraba State and adjoining communities.

In his address to members of the Task Force, General Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army leadership to troops’ welfare, and directed them to justify the confidence reposed in them by being more loyal and dedicated to be able to achieve the mandate.

“Let me use this opportunity to communicate to you the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Yusuf Tukur Buratai for the good work you are doing here….Your hard work and successes are well known to us, we are solidly behind you, because you have done Taraba State and Nigeria proud…your successes in the recently conducted operation is commendable and I strongly order you to maintain the momentum. However, to cap it all, you must capture the fleeing bandit, - the terror kingpin - Tawase Agwaza” – General Abubakar posited.

It would be recalled that on 3 April 2017, based on a tip off, some troops of 93 Battalion and 72 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with the operatives from the Department of State Security Services as well as the Nigerian Police Force raided an obscured but dreaded criminal hideout located in a Farm Gbise Village bordering Taraba and Benue States and recovered the following lethal items;
a. 3 x AK 47 Rifles with 139 magazines
b. 3 x FN Rifles with 12 magazines
c. 1 x G3 Rifle with 6 magazines
d. 1 x G3 Machine Gun
e. 1 x Sub Machine Gun with 3 magazines
f. 1 x Mark4 Rifle with 3 magazines
g. 5x Single Barrel Gun
h. 2 x Locally Made Double Barrel Pistols
i. 5 x Locally Made Revolver Pistols
j. 2 x Locally Made Single Barrel Pistols
k. 3 x 36 Hand Grenades
l. 12 x Tear Gas Canisters
m. 535 Rounds of 7.62 mm NATO Ammunition
n. 463 x Rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition
o. 27 x 9 mm Rounds of Ammunition
p. 99 x 5.56 mm Rounds of Ammunition
q. 1 x 12.7 mm Round of Ammunition
r. 527 x Cartridges

This is submitted for the awareness of members of the public.

Signed
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Army Public Relations