The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, yesterday visited Maiduguri, Borno State, to inspect the ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations against Boko Haram terrorists, with a vow that the December deadline to end terrorism is Sacrosanct.
Olonisakin, while speaking to journalists after over two hours of being briefed on the activities of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, also declared the war a success so far.
The CDS however acknowledged that there had been losses on the part of the military, which he noted, was inevitable in war.
He said that the losses and challenges being encountered in the operations would enable the military authorities to plan and re-stratagise for future operations.
Olonisakin said the evidence of the success of their operation was based on the fact that the civil authorities are returning to the liberated areas.
He assured that despite some challenges, the December deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari to crush Boko Haram was still on course.
He said: “I am in Maiduguri, precisely Operation Lafiya Dole in one of my official duties as the CDS to assess the operation and see what we can improve.
“The operation is well on course and we are doing quite well and the indices are that we are making so much progress in the areas that we are. And of course those areas we have taken over the civil authorities are taking control, so we are really on course. The December deadline is sacrosanct, we are working on it and if there is any development we will let you know.
“Of course in any operations and institutions, you will have challenges and we are addressing those challenges to make sure we mitigate them. We are going to Gajana to assess our position and to be able to know what is happening in that area. This is to also give other directives on what to do.”
Olonisakin was welcomed by the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who has been in the operational zone in the past one week, alongside other Commanders.
Nigerian Military Nabs Boko Haram Terrorists Chief Cameraman in Borno…
Meanwhile, the Military in its ongoing quest to rid the country of Boko Haram terrorists have apprehended one Abdullahi Abubakar Sadiq, suspected to be the terrorists’ Chief Camera Man, who is amongst the 100 most wanted list displayed by the Nigerian Army last month.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, confirmed this in a statement yesterday, saying the suspect was arrested at Uba town in Borno State.
“In yet another unprecedented achievement, vigilant troops of 28 Task Force Brigade today arrested another Boko Haram suspect, Abdullahi Abubakar Sadiq, believed to be the terrorists’ Chief Cameraman and suspect number 58 on the list of 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists wanted list.
“He was arrested at Uba town, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State,” Usman stated.
He said that the troops also arrested two other suspected Boko Haram terrorists along with two other terrorists at Rumirgo and Kilakasa.
