The Nigerian military to launch an operation to tackle the menace created by the activities of the deadliest terrorist group in Nigeria, the Fulani herdsmen militia. The operation has been tagged, Operation Accord.
This moves comes following a string of attacks by the Fulani herdsmen militia which 81 people were killed in Benue State.
This information was disclosed by General Gabriel Olanisakin, the chief of defence staff while on a visit to the new police inspector general, Ibrahim Idris.
“The armed force is preparing to launch ‘Operation Accord’ to tackle the menace occasioned by armed bandits in the recent spate of farmers and cattle herders’ clashes across the country,” Olanisakin said.
The military chief also urged the police boss to motivate his men to co-operate with the military to promote peace and order.
Responding, the police IG also said “The police have been briefed to take over 19 local government areas but only nine has been taken over.”
He also called on the military to help train the police marine patrol team, so they can be effective in securing the Niger Delta creeks.
President Muhammadu Buhari has come under heavy criticism for the lacklustre approach to tackling the terrorist group. He has been accused of sponsoring the Fulani herdsmen attackers because he is a Fulani.
The terrorist group was ranked the 4th most deadly in the world in 2015 by a global terrorism index and this year, the Fulani militia surpassed killing by Boko Haram.
Ardo Basso, a Fulani herdsman recently said that it is compulsory for his people to carry machetes and daggers.