Determined to halt the volatile security challenges vis a vis armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and communal clashes within 93 Battalion Area of Responsibility (AOR), the GOC 82 Division, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar has ordered troops of the battalion to arrest Tawase Akwaza aka ‘Gana’ the notorious robbery kingpin terrorizing Benue and Taraba states.
The GOC gave the order during an operational visit to the Unit to further appraise its operational capabilities and encourage them to brace up for the evident security challenges in their AOR.
Addressing officers and soldiers of the Battalion, the General Abubakar reminded them of the vastness and porosity of the Battalion’s AOR and the necessity to do more in the service of the nation.
He said, “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”.
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 deployed to the area.
The Task Force with its operational Headquarters in 93 Battalion Takum is specially formed with mandate to halt or checkmate the activities of criminals, kidnappers, cattle poachers and other armed bandits across Taraba State and adjoining communities.
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General Abubakar told members of the Task Force to dedicate themselves to 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.
A statement signed by Colonel Sagir Musa, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations quoted the GOC saying, “Let me use this opportunity to communicate to you the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff Lt 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 are 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 Akwaza” the GOC said.
Recall 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 a cache af arms and ammunition.
The arms cache included 3 AK 47 Rifles with 139 magazines; 3 FN Rifles with 12 magazines; 1 G3 Rifle with 6 magazines; 1 G3 Machine Gun; 1 Sub Machine Gun with 3 magazines; 1 Mark4 Rifle with 3 magazines and 5 Single Barrel Gun.
Others are 2 Locally Made Double Barrel Pistols, 5 Locally Made Revolver Pistols; 2 Locally Made Single Barrel Pistols; 3 36 Hand Grenades; 12 Tear Gas Canisters; 535 Rounds of 7.62 mm NATO Ammunition, 463 Rounds of 7.62 mm Special Ammunition; 27 9 mm Rounds of Ammunition; 99 5.56 mm Rounds of Ammunition; 1 12.7 mm Round of Ammunition and 527 Cartridges
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