The Nigerian Army has said that it has discovered that Boko Haram terrorists have started using drones and foreign fighters.
The
Army in a statement by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman on
Wednesday said ‘we have noticed daring moves by the terrorists,
increased use of drones against our defensive positions and infusion of
foreign fighters in their ranks. These potent threats require us to
continually review our operations.
The Army also expressed
gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for
visiting the troops including some of the wounded officers and soldiers
in the hospitals saying ‘we thank His Excellency the Executive Governor
and good people of Borno State who have taken the brunt of the nefarious
activities of the Boko Haram terrorists. Our gratitude also goes to the
Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the
Service Chiefs, who have all shown concern and visited the troops. The
Nigerian Army also thanks all patriotic and concerned Nigerians who have
sent in messages of goodwill and support for the Nigerian Army.’
Read full statement below
In
continuation with our resolve to keep Nigerians well informed of the
activities of the Nigerian Army, I will be briefing you on the recent
happenings in the North East of Nigeria.
In the recent weeks,
Nigerian troops deployed in the North East of Nigeria under Operation
LAFIYA DOLE have come under series of attacks by large numbers of Boko
Haram Terrorists.
Specifically, the Nigerian Army troops
deployed at KUKAWA, NGOSHE, KARETO and GAJIRAM came under attack at
different times within a 2 week period from 2 – 17th November 2018. Each
of these incidents were successfully repelled and several members of
the terrorists were killed. However, a total of 16 personnel were killed
in the course of these attacks while 12 soldiers were wounded in action
and are receiving treatment at our military medical facilities.
As
you are all aware, Nigeria is contributing troops to the Multi-National
Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which has its headquarters in N’djamena, in
the Republic of Chad. One of the Nigerian battalions (157 TF Bn),
deployed under the auspices of the MNJTF was attacked at their Base on
the outskirts of a town called METELE on 18th November 2018.
During
the attack, the troops were forced to withdraw and several casualties
were recorded. As at date 23 personnel were killed in action and 31
personnel were wounded in action and have been evacuated to several
medical hospitals within Borno State. The Nigerian Army commiserates
with the MNJTF at this difficult time and wishes to state that all
necessary support will be rendered to the MNJTF to reverse this
resurgence of the Boko Haram Terrorists.
The Nigerian Army wishes
to further commiserate with the families of the gallant officers and
soldiers that paid the supreme price in the course of defending their
fatherland. The sacrifices of these fallen heroes will not be in vain.
We also wish all those wounded in action speedy recovery and assure them
of our continued support and care.
The incident of 18th November
2018, happened at a time when the Nigerian Army was planning to hold
the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference for 2018 in Benin City, Edo
State. On account of this incident, the Conference had to be moved from
Benin City to Maiduguri to enable the Nigerian Army leadership get
closer to the troops on the ground and to better appraise our
activities, assess our performance and identify our shortcomings as an
Army.
We are also sensitive to the fact that the nation is
approaching an election year and thus we must be prepared to assist in
providing security for the peaceful conduct of elections. Accordingly,
the theme for this year’s annual conference is aptly titled, “Optimizing
the Operational Efficiency of the Nigerian Army Towards Safeguarding
Democracy and National Security in Nigeria”. Let me at this juncture
assure all Nigerians and indeed the international community that the NA
will work optimally, in conjunction with other security agencies to
provide a secure environment for peace and unity in Nigeria.
Since
2015, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with sister services and other
security agencies have systematically degraded the capabilities and
capacity of Boko Haram terrorists and many successes were achieved.
However, in the last 2 – 3 months, we have noticed daring moves by the
terrorists, increased use of drones against our defensive positions and
infusion of foreign fighters in their ranks. These potent threats
require us to continually review our operations.
At this point
permit me to implore all of us to spare a thought for the brave men and
women of the Nigerian Army who paid the supreme price for the security
of Nigeria. The Nigerian Army will continue to support the families of
these brave officers and soldiers and pray that their souls rest in
perfect peace. Let us also not forget the men, women and children who
have been killed or affected by the atrocities of the terrorists. It is
for their sake that this war against terror must be won.
The
Nigerian Army wishes to express its gratitude to the President,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) who has visited the troops including
some of the wounded officers and soldiers in the hospitals. We also
thank His Excellency the Executive Governor and good people of Borno
State who have taken the brunt of the nefarious activities of the Boko
Haram terrorists. Our gratitude also goes to the Honourable Minister of
Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs, who have all
shown concern and visited the troops. The Nigerian Army also thanks all
patriotic and concerned Nigerians who have sent in messages of goodwill
and support for the Nigerian Army.
Finally, the Nigerian Army,
wishes to reiterate and pledge its total commitment to the defence of
the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We wish to reassure
all Nigerians of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend our
country at all costs. We shall also continue to remain apolitical,
professional and responsive in the discharge of our constitutional
roles.
