Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged residents of Borno and Yobe States to take ownership of the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, as part of efforts to end insurgency in the North-East.
General Oluyede made the call after several hours of a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; the Theatre Commander, North-East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar; and other senior military officers.
The CDS expressed concern that some members of communities in the affected states have been complicit, allegedly sabotaging ongoing military operations in the region.
He revealed that credible intelligence indicates that many of those responsible for killings and destruction over the past 15 years of insurgency are from within the affected states.
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According to him, the military leadership is currently in Borno State on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who ordered service chiefs to relocate temporarily to Maiduguri to address the resurgence of Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks.
General Oluyede said the visit is aimed at reviewing and strengthening strategies in the fight against terrorism in the North-East.
He noted that recent attacks by insurgents, particularly within the last month, align with their usual pattern during the Ramadan period.
On the use of drones and other advanced technology by terrorists, the CDS assured that the military is fully aware of the development and remains on top of the situation.
He added that the Armed Forces are also enhancing operational capacity through the deployment of advanced drone technology.
The Defence Chief reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between the military and local communities to achieve lasting peace in the region.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
