Chairman of Toto local government area of Nasarawa State, Nuhu Adamu Dauda has said that it took the military five days to dislodge “Darul Salam” terrorists from his local government.
The chairman who confirmed the latest developments to journalists in Toto, said that after intelligence gathering, it was discovered that the criminals were not mere bandits but an emerging terrorists group known as “Darul Salam.”
The five-day battle which ended in victory for the military led to the surrender of 410 persons, including women and children.
“Their cell at Uttu forest in Toto local government was bombarded where bomb making factory was discovered, leaving their wives and children at the mercy of the military.”
Adamu Dauda commended operation WHIRL STROKE for the successful operation, adding that, destroying the terrorist camp would not only tackle kidnapping and banditry in the area but would also bring peace to the area and the state at large.
“We are happy that the military discovered bomb factory and destroyed terrorist camp in my local government.
“The destruction of their camp by the military would not only tackle the activities of kidnappers and bandits but would also bring peace to the area and the state at large.
“As the activities of these kidnappers and bandits have affected our lives negatively, ” he said.
The council boss further revealed that a security summit will be called to determine if farming and other activities could resume fully in Toto after the operation.
At the camp where the women and children are being camped by the military awaiting further directives, it was crystal clear that they were subjected to hardship by the terrorist.
Most of the women were either pregnant or breastfeeding a child, looking very pale and malnourished.
One of the women found in the camp, Kadijat Abdullahi, who shared her ordeal with newsmen said that her husband was kidnapped and killed in Gombe by members of the sect, before she was brought down to Toto forest in Nasarawa state.
“After killing my husband, they took me to the bush and we have been there for nine months where they impregnated me.
“We only woke up and saw military shooting and killing them. The one I’m under him I wouldn’t know whether he was killed” she said.
Another is Aisha who put to bed barely 24 hours after her husband was killed in an exchange of fire with the military.”
