•Lauds troops over rescue of late General’s widow, Hajiya Amina, in Tunga Village.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied security agencies for the successful operation that led to the elimination of a notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Bastuji.
Reaffirming his stance that Nigeria will not surrender any territory to criminals, President Tinubu described the operation against Bastuji in Kogi State as a major setback for criminal networks operating in the region.
The President also celebrated the rescue of Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar—widow of the late former Chief of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd)—stating that the operation is a testament to the professionalism and commitment of the country’s security forces.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that security forces killed the notorious bandit kingpin and his fighters while they were allegedly planning to attack a school and residents of Iluke Bunu in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Mrs. Abubakar was freed during a coordinated military operation conducted by troops of the 17th Brigade in Tunga Village, where security forces engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks.
In a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu noted that Bastuji had been linked to a string of violent attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities that have long terrorized residents of Kogi State and neighboring communities.
The President emphasized that the neutralization of the bandit kingpin would restore public confidence and provide much-needed relief to communities ravaged by insecurity.
He pledged his administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting the military and other security agencies in the fight against banditry, kidnapping, and violent crime, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to provide the Armed Forces with the necessary resources, training, and operational support.
While reiterating that his administration remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of lives and property, the President urged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to assist ongoing counter-criminality operations.
The statement quoted the President as saying: “I congratulate our gallant troops on this decisive milestone. Nigeria will not surrender any part of its territory to criminals.
“Those who choose the path of violence against innocent citizens will find no hiding place. This success reflects the renewed determination of our security forces to secure every inch of our land.
“The safe return of Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar is a source of relief to her family and to all Nigerians. I commend the intelligence coordination and bravery of the officers and men who executed the rescue operation. We owe a debt of gratitude to our troops who risk their lives daily to keep us safe.”
