The military has deployed more troops to the Northeast to meet the December deadline to end terrorism, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai said in Calabar, the Cross River State capital yesterday.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Dan’Ali, in Kaduna, said Boko Haram would soon become history.
Addressing officers and men of the 130 Battalion in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, Gen. Buratai called for the commitment of the soldiers to achieve this aim.
His words: “So far our operations in the Northeast is gathering momentum. They are doing very well and doing the Nigerian Army very proud. I am sure some of you have been in touch with them and some of you may still be going there in the future. The operation there is going very well.
“We have to keep focus on Mr President’s mandate of keeping to the deadline. We have to work hard to make sure the operation succeeds and I believe we can do it. We have gotten more equipment and have deployed more troops to the Northeast.”
He emphasised the need to collaborate with other security agencies.
“I want you to note that on internal security, you cannot operate alone. You must cooperate with other security agencies. You must have a strong collaboration with the police, civil defence, the SSS and others,” he said.
The Army chief said he visited to identify with the challenges of the soldiers.
He said: “I would find time to go to your individual units and formations. I am here to identify with your pressing challenges as it pertains to internal security, general administration and internal security.
“Here in the barracks we have taken steps to improve accommodation, we are renovating dilapidated structures. We are also looking at issues of medicals as well as your children’s education. Already, I have set up a committee to go round schools to check issues of high and arbitrary fees. We would address issues of your welfare properly.
“Also, respect members of the community hosting the barracks. You must have very good civil-military relations.
“Another key issue is espirit de corps. You must be your brother’s keeper. In battle there is no discrimination from insurgents or enemies’ bullets. Work together and coordinate activities to avoid disharmony among yourselves.
“You must remain loyal. A hundred percent loyalty to Mr President is required of you.”
The minister, who spoke at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Kaduna during the inauguration of projects for the Training Command, said he was convinced that the military was the viable tool in tackling the problem of national security.
The minister said: “I am convinced that the activities of these insurgents will soon be a thing of the past and all areas under occupation will be liberated for people to go about their normal lives.
“I am particularly impressed with the new approach of winning the heart and minds of the populace through advocacy and outreach programmes of the armed forces as emplaced by the leadership of Mr President, Commander-in-chief.
“I commend the Nigerian Air Force for the success recorded in the renewed vigour of routing out the insurgents and effectively degrading their capabilities.
“I am confident that this fight will bring more people into the fight against the insurgents, thereby making the task of our armed forces much easier through the cooperation of the locals, especially in the provision of real-time information and intelligence gathering.
“Let me assure you that the Federal Government will do everything humanly possible to rejuvenate the air force to meet its constitutional roles.
“I am fully convinced that the military remains the most veritable tool in tackling our contemporary national security challenges, especially the fight against insurgency in the the Northeast.“
“I believe that, the potential exists in our armed forces and with the right strategic direction which I assure you of, we shall build a modern force capable of not only guaranteeing security in our dear nation but with the ability to project and sustain our leadership position in Africa and beyond.”
