The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Sheu Omar has called on the Nigerian Army to establish a forward operating base near the Kanji Lake National Park in order to strengthen the safety of farmers, the rural populace and citizens living around the park.

The monarch made the request when he received the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Obinna Onubogu, and his team during a courtesy visit at his palace.

The recent operation by troops of the Nigerian Army in the Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of Kwara State and the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State was targeted among other things to clear the Kanji forest off bandits who had reportedly been exploiting the people, killing and launching attacks on innocent citizens.

The operation took the General Officer Commanding 2 Division to Kaiama township and Kemanji, a community which is a few kilometres from the Kanji Lake National Park for an on the spot assessment of the current situation.

The emir while receiving the GOC and his team expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army, the federal and state governments for the intervention which he said will be ever green in the hearts of the populace around the adjoining communities of the Kanji Lake National Park.

The monarch recalled that “the residents had long been facing attacks from the Mahmuda terrorists group which had severally maimed, tortured and exploited them.”

He said, “the leadership of the Army should consider having a forward operating base near the Kanji forest which spreads across Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas in Kwara and the Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State, adding that this will give residents of the area the peace of mind and also assure them that they are safe in their various communities.”

Similarly, the Shao’ki of Kemanji, Aliyu Siki-Muhammed, appreciated the Army for coming to the rescue of the people whose source of income lies in agriculture and farming activities.

He emphasised that the community in the last couple of years has been terrorised while the people were also in perpetual fear of recurring attacks and exploitation from the insurgents.

The GOC, during the visit, cautioned the residents from engaging in farming activities in the Kanji Lake forest, saying it is a reserve of the federal government.

He enjoined the people to cooperate with the Army by giving the necessary information while also urging the community leaders to educate the people on the implications of their actions.