The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has given assurance that the war against Boko Haram and other insurgents would be over soon.
He gave the assurance when he paid a maiden assessment visit to the troops at Special Army Super Camp Ngamdu.
“I see this war ending soon so that all of us can return home to join our families. The President and Commander in Chief are interested in what goes on in this Theatre and indeed any other Theatre of operation across the country” he said.
He said consistence with his intention to bring the war to an end, the military will be rolling out some measures.
“We want to bring this war to an end, soonest. We are bringing out things. You can see the Operation Tura Takaibango successes being recorded. We want to cash in on that to ensure the total annihilation of Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria” he said.
He urged the troops to remain focused and determined to end Boko Haram terrorism in the country and work toward ensuring restoration of total peace.
“I know you have pushed this war this far, you will continue to do so subsequently. Mr President and Commander in Chief is aware of the good work that you are doing and he sends his greetings,” said the COAS.
He said he had met the Commanders who had told him what their critical requirements were to achieve military effectiveness.
“This we are working in tandem with the troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force of Cameroon. Sooner, we are also going to bring the Chadians for the total annihilation of insurgents in Nigeria; that is what I can tell Nigerians. “It is not just the Northeast Theatre, we are equally ensuring our Operations in other parts of Nigeria. We will ensure that people do their job properly so that the insurgency becomes a thing of the past.
“There are challenges, they are not insurmountable and we are doing our best. I wouldn’t want to start elaborating on these challenges. They are challenges that reduced military effectiveness and we are going to address them sooner than later.
“On issues concerning equipment and other logistics items, I have been briefed on it and we are making a tremendous effort on it.
“As your Chief of Army Staff, I have reliably been told on the challenge of kitting. In the next couple of weeks, you will have your uniforms and protective gears.
“Furthermore, I know the issue of overstay in mission area has been a major problem. We will not do that almost immediately but rest assured that in the next couple of weeks and months we shall have a standard rotation plan that all of you will have to leave the Theater and be replaced by fresh hands so that we can continue the war”.
Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, The Theatre Commander, had earlier said that the visit of the COAS twice in one week indicated his concern and priority to the welfare of troops in the Theatre.
Yahaya said that the COAS was a one-time Theatre Commander of the operation and now back as the Chief of Army Staff to deal with the insecurity. He expressed hope that the challenges facing troops would be resolved in record time.
