Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Nigerian Army has deployed 100 female soldiers of the 1 Women Special Operation Battalion to secure the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The women soldiers, Daily Trust reports, will form part of Operation Thunder Strike.
Daily Trust further gathered that this is the first deployment as another set of 200 soldiers are expected, making a total of 300.
Daily Trust learned that the female soldiers, who are of the Women Corps, are expected to complement Operation Thunder Strike and other existing operations along the highways and the environs.
El-Rufai speaks
Speaking at Kakau village along the highway where he received the 1st batch of 100 female soldiers of the 1 Women Special Operations Battalion Wednesday, Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, commended the deployment by the Nigerian Army, which he said will boost the security situation along Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The highway is being bedevilled by incessant kidnapping and killings.
The governor expressed hope that, with the deployment of the female soldiers, the insecurity along the highways will soon be a thing of the past.
“The problem of Abuja-Kaduna road will be over with these female soldiers because what a man can do a woman can do better.
“We believe in the capability of women in this State.
“I am confident the road will be the safest in Nigeria with this deployment and we will do everything possible to make this operation comfortable.
“We are very happy to have you and I believe your presence will inspire other girls to join the military.
“That is why we have female deputy governors to inspire other women,” El-Rufai said.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe charged the female soldiers to do their best to make sure everyone in the state and the state is safe.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Kaduna, Major-General Usman Mohammed acknowledged the support the Kaduna State Government had provided to the military in its internal security operations.
Major-General Mohammed thanked Governor El-Rufai and his deputy for personally coming to receive the female troops.
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