Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
August 2, 2017.
Following directives of Acting President; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to military Service Chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri; to tackle resurgence of Boko Haram attacks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj-Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar along with Theatre Commander, Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru; have strategized to end insurgency after four-hour meeting at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
The meeting deliberated on understanding facts surrounding the latest resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings that led to the death
of 19 soldiers, 33 Civilian JTF and 17 civilians from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) on Tuesday, 25, 2017 in Jilli-Bornoyesu axis of Borno state.
Briefing journalists on Tuesday; Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen John Enenche said in compliance with the recent directive bythe Acting President, Prof. Osinbajo to Service Chiefs to move to
Maiduguri, the epicentre of the Northeast counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations , they commenced the command and control operations; at Military Command and Control centre, Maiduguri.
His words: “In this regard , the chief of Defence held a briefing session with, the chief of Army staff , the chief of Air Staff , the Theatre commander and senior principal staff officers of the Military
high command at the Military command and control centre , on 1st August 2017, on the reviewed strategic direction and operational plans , in compliance to the directive of the Acting President.
“This move and action is expected to give impetus to the military efforts in the Northeast operations against insurgency and terrorism. “Consequently, the Defence Headquarters hereby appeal to the general
public and the people in the areas affected directly, by this negative acts of terrorism and criminality, to come forward with credible information that will further assist the security and response agencies to tackle this menace. “It is also necessary to point out some of the key information required, which include the following: Terrorists hideouts, terrorists’ concentration areas and outposts; collaborators and
informants to the terrorists and suspicious habitations and living quarters within the rural and urban centres.”
He reiterated that the Armed forces of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that peace and tranquility is restored to the Northeast, saying that the cooperation of the general public, particularly , those in the affected areas is highly solicited.
On whether military service chief are remain at Theater Command, until end of the insurgency in the Northeast, Enenche said: “The Military Commanders will focus more on the operations in the Northeast, than operations elsewhere,” adding the service chiefs are in the service of the whole country and not the sub-region alone. “They are service chiefs of the whole Army. Northeast Theatre command and control centre is their forward headquarters which deserves more attention than other operational base,” said Maj-Gen Enenche.
