Army inaugurates exercise Harbin Kunama III to tackle Zamfara bandits
Andrew Orolua, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has inaugurated exercise Harbin Kunama III to curb the activities of bandits in Zamfara state.
He said that exercise Harbin Kunama III which was initially planned to run from June 2 – 27 was rescheduled due to current threat assessment in Zamfara state.
Inaugurating the exercise, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai said that exercise Harbin Kunama III mandate covers forest areas that have served as safe havens for bandits.
“As you may be aware, the menace of banditry activities has continued to persist in some parts of the North West region and along the border areas.
“The unwholesome and dastardly acts of these bandits have adversely affected the socio-economic activities in these areas with attendant effect on human and economic security.
“It has also led to deaths and maiming of innocent people with the attendant wanton destruction of properties.
“It is on this premise that exercise Harbin Kunama III is planned to mitigate the current threats to security in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Specifically, the exercise is designed to decisively eliminate all forms of banditry activities with a view to ensuring lasting peace in the affected areas,” Buratai stated.
Meanwhile, Zamfara state Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, has commended the federal government for the newly established exercise Harbin Kunama III in the state.
The governor described the development as timely, considering the intense spate of killings and kidnappings going on in some parts of the state.
He commended the army chief for establishing the exercise, saying that the move will in no small measure accelerate the fight against the bandits that have been terrorizing the people of the state.
