The National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno(retd.), four Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police on Friday in Maiduguri promised to intensify efforts at ending the Boko Haram menace in the North-East.
Monguno, who led other service chiefs – Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin (Defence), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai (Army), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar (Air Force) and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, said the military had begun the ultimate onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgency.
He explained that the most pressing issue in the country was the Boko Haram menace, adding that the recent change of guards in the security structure by President Muhammadu Buhari was to end terror attacks the affected North-East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
Monguno said, “In less than 24 hours after we were sworn in and decorated by the President, we are here in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the re-assessment of military operations and to end insurgency in three months.
“We are to assess all the military operational details that will facilitate various aerial and ground troops to put an end to Boko Haram.”
He added that the President had picked the right service chiefs in order to end terrorism.
The NSA assured the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, and the people of the state that the service chiefs would not be found wanting in the fight to end the Boko Haram insurgency that had claimed many lives and property.
He admitted that the military alone could not handle the anti-terror fight, arguing that “the victory over Boko Haram cannot be won without involving the larger society.”
Monguno stated, “We are not going to work against your interest of restoring peace and unity in the North East. We are here for all of you affected by this terrorism that has claimed the lives of many of your sons, daughters, parents, guardians, including your traditional and religious leaders sacked from towns and villages for over six years. We want you also to help us with credible information to end this insurgency.
“We need the civil society to end this insurgency. I will be deceiving you if I say it will take the military alone to solve this insurgency.
“We are here to tell you we are up to the task, but it is a two-way traffic, we need your assistance. We need information and they (the people) need to come out of the closets to assist us.
“I know there has been mutual suspicion in the past, but it is time to work together to put an end to this insurgency.”
Shettima said the people of Borno and the North-East the nation had the necessary personnel to end the Boko Haram menace.
He said, “We will give you all the support to end this insurgency. All we need is to give them our support. Boko Haram cannot survive if we the people of Borno say ‘no, enough is enough’.”(Punch)
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