– The Nigerian army has disclosed that Sambisa is the last battle ground in the war against Boko Haram
– One thousand soldiers have been moved from Lagos to Borno state
– The military calls for support from the citizens and the move to totally crush the insurgent sect
The Nigerian army has revealed that Sambisa is the last battle ground in the military’s fight against the insurgent sect- Boko Haram.
While boasting that Boko Haram has been knocked down in Borno and other parts of the northeast, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the only battle ground left is in the Sambisa Forest, the about 80 kilometres swathe of thick bush that is the sect’s stronghold.
The army on Sunday, February 7, said once the battle for Sambisa is over, then Boko Haram will become a thing of the past.
Gen Abubakar said: “The situation is clear on how much we have decimated Boko Haram. Technically, we have knocked down these insurgents.
Some Nigerian troops battling the insurgents in the northeast
“ The insurgents have been beaten and I stand by what I said. I can beat my chest that the insurgents have been decimated.
“All these attacks on soft targets do not mean that Boko Haram insurgents are occupying any territory. They are carrying out these attacks in order to remain relevant. The insurgents are pretending to be alive when in reality they have lost out.
“The attacks on soft targets by the insurgents do not translate to occupation of territories or some parts of Borno State or the North-East.
“The insurgents’ attacks on soft targets are not peculiar to Nigeria. These terrorists do so in the U.S. France, Britain, and many countries. We are doing our best to protect these soft targets.”
“What is left is Sambisa Forest. That is the last battle ground with the insurgents.
“ This Forest is about 80kilometres but I believe very soon, we will overrun the Forest and rout out the insurgents. We will certainly send them packing from the Sambisa forest.”
“For anyone to make a claim that half of Borno State is under the insurgents is not helping the military. It is just to get media attention. We have decimated Boko Haram. This is the reality,” Gen Abubakar stressed.
In its bid to ensure that the Boko Haram war comes to a quick end, the Nigeria army has commenced replacement of troops fighting in the northeast with about 1,000 soldiers and officers drawn from the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion in Badagry, Lagos.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who addressed the soldiers at the weekend charged them to go the northeast and wipe out Boko Haram “but, you must fight within the rules of engagement.”
General Buratai said the soldiers must respect human rights and ensure that civilians and captured terrorists are treated humanely.
He said the military will maintain the tempo in the operations in the North Eastern part of the country until insurgents are defeated, adding that the defeat of the insurgents is a service to Nigeria. “We will continue to maintain the initiative until Boko Haram insurgents are defeated. This is a service to your nation. The problems of human rights abuse must be avoided, you must ensure you treat civilians humanely and also treat captured terrorists humanely,” the COAS charged.
The Army Chief urged the soldiers to remain loyal to the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the Army had got intervention from the Federal Government to kit the soldiers and provide mobility and fire power.
He urged the soldiers to maintain standards of discipline warning that no heavy weapon must be left unattended to for 24 hours.
Buratai equally told the soldiers to guard their weapons and maintain equipment provided to them especially as all the allowances of troops fighting in the north east have been paid.
The COAS warned men against use of social media and against leaking information to the public, adding that, “if you are caught sending out information that is related to the operations, you will be dealt with accordingly.”
The DHQ pleaded for support from every citizen because it is a Nigerian war against Boko Haram insurgents.
Director of Defence Information Brig-Gen Rabe Abubakar spoke exclusively with our correspondent against the backdrop of the allegation by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno Central) that half of Borno State is still being occupied by Boko Haram.
“We want to appeal to Nigerians to appreciate and support our gallant troops to maintain the high rate of success we have achieved in the war against the insurgents.
“This is a Nigerian war versus the insurgents. Boko Haram is a national catastrophe which requires the support of all to address. Every Nigerian must be seen to be contributing morally to the war against these insurgents,” Brid-Gen Abubakar stressed.
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