Theatre Commander to troops: Let’s wrap up the war and go home, warns commanders against starving soldiers

The Nigerian Army said it was deploying new strategies to counter resurgence of Boko Haram insurgency in some communities within Borno state.

While urging the troops to take the war to the enemies and traitors alike and wrap it up, it also warned commanders against starving the troops of food and water by providing same where and when needed promptly.  

Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi said this Sunday when he led a team of journalists on a visit to Magumeri, Gubio and Benisheik, headquarters of Magumeri, Gubio and Kaga local government areas of the state respectively.

The insurgents struck Wednesday night through the early hours of Thursday, razing buildings and personal belongings of Magumeri and Gubio residents.

Although, there were media reports that residents of the affected communities had to flee the communities with some seeking refuge in Maiduguri, the army however said it repelled the attacks.   

The residents also said the insurgents struck following ‘routine’ withdrawal of troops by the top echelon of the army.

‘It’s all lies

But addressing troops at the 5 Brigade Battalion and also during an interaction with members of Gubio community during the visit, Adeniyi dismissed the report on troops’ withdrawal.

The army chief condemned social media reports on troops’ withdrawal,  saying  “such misinformation created fear in the society and aided the insurgents’ atrocities.”

 To forestall further resurgence of insurgency, the theatre commander said the army, had  set up “Super Camp”, shifted trenches and mobilised troops on mobile patrols to counter insurgency as well as protect lives and property in the theatre of operation.

He said: “Nigerians need to understand that the army did not withdraw from Magumeri, Gubio and other locations in Borno and the northeast, as erroneously insinuated.

“The troops are now on mobility operation instead of staying in trenches in one location; the mobile troops would be moving to take the fight to the insurgents, protect roads and communities so that people can go about their normal life without fear.

“The new measure will enable the troops to dominate everywhere; deny the insurgents freedom of movement, enhance rapid response and render assistance to their colleagues when called upon in good time.

“It is true that the insurgents attacked Magumeri and Gubio; there were no loss of lives on troops and civilians, unfortunately a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed and six other persons sustained injuries, either from stray bullets, or while trying to escape.

“The insurgents torched some targeted residential homes and public buildings in response to the owners’ allegiance to the government and the nation. Markets, stores are stocked with food items and other essential commodities, but they were not looted or destroyed by the insurgents.”

“Gubio and Magumeri are under full military control, the troops repelled the insurgents’ incursion in the communities and people resumed their normal lives. We will continue to protect and provide necessary security to the people,” Adeniyi further said.

Admonition to troops

In further admonition to the troops, Adeniyi said: “Let me say this, hold your ground; if they change you, adhere to it because we are no longer in trenches, we are in vehicles but we will still be rotating ourselves. So, it is an insult for you to be here and someone says there are no soldiers.

“What we have discussed, implement it; if you have any issues, let your commander know and look out for traitor; set up a checkpoint and be checking, so if we don’t stop Boko Haram logistics, this war will never finish.

“Please, let us finish this war and go home; if you have been unserious, get serious; if you are serious, get more serious. You are in war today, you will be at peace in another unit tomorrow. Above all, we must make up our minds that we are ending this war now.”

On the relationship with other partners, the  top commander told the troops; “Civilian JTF is our partner; if you are working with them, respect them and treat them well. They are our partners; you don’t attack your partner, be diplomatic with them. Also, police are your friends here, respect them; they are working with us; we all have a common enemy which is Boko Haram.

“I urge you to make up your mind to end this war. Like I said, your commanders have plans; help them to execute them. Please, I am counting on you; so I want you to know that I appreciate you very deeply and I am trusting God, no evil will happen to you.”

Welfare

On welfare, the army general warned commanders against starving the troops of food and water, asking them to provide same promptly.

“Nigeria is before Boko Haram, it will end and Nigeria will continue; that I am sure of. The entire country is behind you, you are not the rebel. As per what belongs to you, I have spoken to your commanders, and let me say it on camera, any commander that does not bring food to you (soldiers), I will hammer him. Any commander who brings food late for soldiers or without water, I repeat it, I will hammer him. Food and water at the right time anywhere. I will be coming here to see how you are fairing.”

The commander also said the army had deployed additional patrol vehicles and equipment to facilitate effective execution of the insurgency war, just as he assured the communities of sustained military presence in their areas.

In his remarks, Garrison Commander, 7 Div. Brig. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia said mobile troops under the Super Camp operation were being deployed on a 24-hour patrol basis to Njimtilo, Auno, Jakana and Benisheikh communities.

This, he said, was to ensure safety of the people and motorists plying Maiduguri/Damaturu highway.

In a response, spokesman of Gubio community, Modu Alhaji Fanami, appreciated the military, even as he said they had always given them necessary information to aid their operation.

“Sir, we are trying our best by giving accurate information to the military. We are ready to do more to support soldiers because we still want to remain in Gubio, we have nowhere to go. All we want is to have soldiers around us; I can assure you that every one of us here will support the troops.”

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