The attention of the Heaquarters Theatre Command Operation Lafiya
Dole has been drawn to a publication in The Guardian newspaper of 21 September
2017 where one Buba Galadima in an interview claimed that ‘Seven Local
Governments of Borno State were still under control of Boko Haram terrorists’;
even though he failed to furnish members of the public with the names of those
Local Government Areas.
Obviously, this sweeping statement is not only an attempt to
propagate falsehood but a futile effort to disinform members of the public on
the true security situation in the north east from a perspective of one who is
evidently detached from the realities of the counter terrorism cum counter
insurgency operations in the north east. It is very crucial to set the record
straight by making it crystal clear that contrary to his opinions, the Boko
Haram Terrorists group does not hold or control any Local Government Area in
Borno state or in the north east as claimed in the interview. These Local
Government Areas have been liberated by troops of operation Lafiya Dole and the
troops have continued to ensure security in these areas after routing out the
insurgents. As a matter of fact, locals have been encouraged to return to their
communities to resume their vocations and normal life.
It may perhaps be needful to refresh memories by recalling that
prior to the inauguration of Operations Lafiya Dole, the entire north east was
infested with Boko Haram Terrorists, who became emboldened to the extent of
declaring a caliphate with headquarters in Gwoza town. All that became history
as the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole came into the theatre, gradually
but steadily decimating the insurgents and liberating held territories in a
series of well-planned and coordinated joint ground and air operations. One of
such major operations was the Operation RESCUE FINALE, which routed the
insurgents out of its tactical headquarters in Camp Zeiro in Sambisa forest and
out of its so called spiritual headquarters in Alargarno.
Ever since, Operation Lafiya Dole has continued to relentlessly
conduct several other operations such as Operation DEEP PUNCH, CHIKIN GUDU
Operation and Operation RAWAN KADA alongside the Multinational Joint Task Force.
These and many other operations have culminated in the degradation and
incapacitation of the insurgent group. Apparently, this is the reason, the
terrorist group is striving to remain relevant by resorting to callously use
women and children to carry out suicide bomb attacks on soft and vulnerable
targets.
Currently, Operation Lafiya Dole in its resoluteness, is carrying
out precursor operations that will lead to a final assault to decisively and
finally put an end to the insurgency in the north east.
Talking about logistical supplies, Operation Lafiya Dole regularly
provides logistical support and replenishment to own troops deployed in all
locations and Forward Operational Bases through the normal channels, using our
main supply routes.
More also, Theatre and formation Commanders routinely conduct
working visits to troops in their formations and units within the theatre of
operation. Hence, the question of troops been inaccessible as portrayed in the
said article, is an irredeemable fallacy. Perhaps it is necessary to note that
considering the vastness of the north east, Operation Lafiya Dole, aside
holding tactical defensive positions to block the insurgents from access to
logistics, has also gone ahead to insert Mobile Strike Teams in the theatre of
operations to effectively patrol localities as well as seek out and neutralize
the insurgents from their hideouts.
Suffice to mention that in the month of August alone, a total of
82 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed in combat and 630 remote settlements
were cleared by own troops.
Our troops are tirelessly on the trail of the fleeing insurgents
as devastating coordinated aerial and artillery bombardments are being
unleashed on the terrorist group. Our troops are therefore not waiting only to
repel BHT attacks as erroneously painted in the article, but are rather
tactically deployed to deny the adversary freedom of action and access to
logistics.
Needless to add, that a group of insurgents on the run cannot hold
or control any territory. Boko Haram lacks the capability to hold any territory
in the north east, hence its mindless attack on innocent and vulnerable
civilians with suicide bombings, most of which were made unsuccessful by our
vigilant troops.
While not attempting to dismiss the fact that as the fleeing
faceless insurgents rummage for logistical replenishment, they occasionally mix
up with unsuspecting locals and thereafter attack them. This definitely cannot
be described as holding territory, rather, it only simply underscores the need
for other relevant agencies to do more to ensure progressive reintegration of
the locals into their various communities.
Without sounding immodest, it is worthy to note that the counter
terrorism and counter insurgency operations of Operation Lafiya Dole in the
north east, has been commended within Nigeria and in the international
community, resulting in several high level official visits to the north east by
national and international bodies.
While assuring that our focus in Operation Lafiya Dole remains clear
and will not be derailed, the general public is urged not be misguided by the
insinuations and disinformation contained in the said article as they are
devoid of the true and realistic impressions of the security situation in the
north east.
Source: www.nta.ng
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