Boko Haram terrorists have started using drones and foreign fighters - Nigerian Army
The
Nigerian Army says 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 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 1.
Gentlemen of the press, 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. 2. 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.3. 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.4. 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. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. 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.8. 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.9. 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.SANI
KUKASHEKA USMAN Brigadier General for Chief of Army Staff 28th November
2018
