The chief of Army Staff, LieutenantGeneral Tukur Yusuf Buratai, says Boko Haram activities have been confined tothe Lake Chad area and the Sambisa forest in the North East region of the country.
This is as he assured that the Nigerian Army is still in search of the remaining 112 abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity. Buratai stated this Tuesday,
while delivering the maiden lecture of the Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State titled, “Military and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria, Appraisal of the Nigeria Army Counter- Terrorism and Counter- insurgency Operation.”.
He noted that Boko Haram activities were reduced in the region due to the resilience of the military in collaboration with other security agencies.
According to him, the preservation of sovereignty and good governance are crucial to the well- being of the nation and its people,and complex security challenges like the Boko Haram activities required political and security solutions that ensure that democracy and good governance rebound stronger after a
crisis.
The Army chief said the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has fulfilled the pledge to support the MNJTF by donating the sum of $100 million, adding that the current political leadership has demonstrated a strong political will, purposeful direction and resourcefulness that galvanized the nation against the common enemy.
Said he, “One of the silent but radical changes in the operations was changing the orientation and mind-set of troops from a defensive to an offensive posture. We also created the Theatre Command to coordinate the activities of the divisions involved in the operations. Socio-economic activities and free movement of people and goods have resumed in many areas. Significant improvements can be attributed to the systematic campaign led by the Army in conjunction with other security and elements of national power.
“Success recorded so far is an indication that for Nigeria’s democracy to be consolidated, the military must not only play its part but must also fulfill the constitutional roles assigned to them”.
“Buratai identified porous border, large operational environment, cross-border insurgency, insufficient international support in terms of equipment, among others, as the challenges militating against the fight against insurgency.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, said the center when operational would carry out research that interrogates in emerging security challenges of local and global concerns. He said the center will also conduct research in terrorism, organized crimes, cyber security intelligence among others.
