The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa has sought synergy between the military and other security agencies to end terrorism in Northeast. According to him, the collaboration among the military, security agencies and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) could strengthen the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. The 12-year insurgency has killed about 40, 000 people with $9.2 billion (N3.42 trillion) worth of property destroyed in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Musa disclosed this yesterday (Tuesday), while addressing front line commanders, police commissioner and heads of other security agencies at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. “The inter-agencies’ synergy is essential to end terrorism that has claimed many lives and property in the region,” he declared. He also stated that the Nigerian Army is embarking on a Stakeholders’ roundtable meeting to further strengthen synergies on intelligence gathering to end the war.
On the security agencies’ meeting, he said: “Today’s (Tuesday) meeting is aimed at bringing all security stakeholders together to discuss matters of great importance on the security situation we’re facing,” disclosing that; the massive surrender of terrorists, non-combatants and their families has hit 17, 000. He noted that the security agencies’ roundtable was also to chart a new course to strengthen the synergy among the military, police and other security agencies fighting the terrorists in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region. The Heads of security agencies also yesterday highlighted their security concerns in the theatre of counter-terrorism operations.
“They have suggested ways of overcoming the challenges of insecurity that could restore peace,” said the Commander. Others that attended the security meeting include the Deputy Theatre Commander, Maj-Gen Ibrahim Jallo, Acting General Officer Commanding; 7 Division; Nigerian Army Maiduguri, Brig-Gen Abdul Wahab Eyitayo, the Maritime Component Commander, Cmdr. R M Shammah, the Theatre Logistics Component Commander, Brig-Gen. Emmanuel Akpan and other principal staff officers of the theatre.
The Director, DSS, State Commandants Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), State Comptrollers of Customs, Immigration, Correctional Services and the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), leaders of Civilian JTF, vigilantes and hunters. The meeting was the first enlarged inter-agencies roundtable on the counter-insurgency operation in the last five years. There were similar meetings by the Defense Chief of Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor while he was the Theatre Commander between 2016 and 2017. The military operation now codenamed: OPHK, has transformed into a Joint Task Force Northeast operation comprising the Police, DSS,NSCDC, CJTF, vigilante and the hunters.
