By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Democratic Front (TDF) has welcomed the arrest of two of the most wanted terrorists kingpins in a coordinated security operation under the leadership of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the capture of the two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group.
TDF said: “We acknowledge the fact that the challenges of insecurity have attracted so much attention and resources from the Federal Government since the beginning of the current administration, but we also appreciate the relentless commitment of President Bola Tinubu to defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
”It is against the backdrop that we join other Nigerians in welcoming the
counter-terrorism measures introduced on the watch of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, since assuming office as NSA in June 2023.
”We believe that the successful counter-terrorism operations against the Jama’atul Muslimina fi- Biladis Sudan (Nigeria’s affiliate of Al-Qaida), that led to capture of the leader, Mahmud Muhammed Usman, and his deputy, Mahmud al- Nigeri, of the Ansaru group, marks a significant victory in the quest to tackle terrorism.
”For us, the feat will go a long way to reducing terror attacks, and de-escalating banditry/kidnapping in the North Central parts of Nigeria, where both groups have tormented civilian communities of Kiama and Barutin areas of Kwara and Niger states for a long time.
”It is equally important to use the opportunity to further appreciate the smooth inter-agency coordination by the office of the NSA which has resulted in the rescue of victims of kidnappings, and the recovery of cache of firearms across the country.
”This dexterous coordination by the NSA also led to the timely elimination of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Kebbi State last year.
”Similarly, the elimination of criminals and terrorist related activities on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, the drastic reduction in kidnappings around the notorious axis of Jama’a local government area of Kaduna State, North West of Nigeria as well as the capture of a kidnapping kingpin and his notorious gang, Chiadiji Collins, in Delta State
”We are indeed elated that normal life has returned to the affected communities due to the inability of the deadly terrorist groups to continue to operate and carry out attacks against defenseless civilians and security operatives.
”For us in the TDF, the significance of this achievement in curbing insecurity in Nigeria, is not limited to the capture of Ansaru terrorists, but also the return of normalcy to the affected parts of the country.”
The group appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the federal government in its efforts at eliminating security threats in the country.
