A member of the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has called for establishing two military forward operation bases in the Kanam local government area of Plateau.

Mr Gagdi made the request when he visited Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) commander in Jos.

“During the visit, I made a strong case for the establishment of two military forward operation bases in Kanam in order to facilitate rapid response to security needs of the area,” he said.

The lawmaker added, “This is in view of the recent notorious activities of terrorists on Gum/Gagdi community, my own village, three days ago and another recent one at Garga community.” 

Mr Gagdi, representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency, said the military bases would help to deal with bandits operating in the hinterland of Kanam communities. He added that it would also secure the communities, particularly the huge farming population toiling to cultivate their farms.

Responding, Mr Ali promised to give the lawmaker’s request urgent attention, adding that OPSH under his command had recorded tremendous achievements in securing its operational areas.

The commander promised to deploy maximum manpower to curb the surge in bandit attacks, not only in Kanam but throughout its operational areas, which consist of Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi.

He commended Mr Gagdi for his proactive and modest contributions to national security as chairman of one of the Armed Forces Committees of the National Assembly.

The lawmaker also visited Bartholomew Onyeka, the police commissioner in Plateau, to seek police intervention in curbing the security threat in Kanam and its environs.

In April, bandits invaded communities in the Garga area of Kanam, killing many people and burning down houses.

(NAN)