Army set up Operation Base in Southern Kaduna

The Army has set up an operation base in Southern Kaduna in a bid to address the spate of violence in the area that has claimed many lives.

The violence in Southern Kaduna has been repeatedly blamed on suspected Fulani herdsmen who have been accused of invading farming settlements in a bid to dislodge owners and create grazing opportunities for their cattle.

Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, laid the foundation stone of the Forward Operation Base on Sunday in Zango Kataf local government area at a ceremony equally attended by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia local government area of the state had been the military formation in Southern Kaduna but the 2 Battalion in Zango Kataf will now oversee the area.

Gen Buratai said the army was committed to peace and security in all parts of Nigeria and urged Nigerians to learn to co-exist peacefully, adding “we need each other”.

Daily Trust reports that Governor El-Rufai in his remarks, noted that 11 bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers had been recorded in the state, but vowed to put an end to it.

“Whether they are my son or daughter or relations, whether they are Muslim or Christian, someone will be jailed to put an end to the crisis. And this will be the end of crisis in the state,” El-Rufai said.

Earlier during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, the chief of staff directed troops stationed in Southern Kaduna to move deep into forest to fish out perpetrators of violence in the state.

“The troops have been working seriously to ensure that attacks and counter attacks are brought to an end,” Buratai said.