General Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has assured that the war against insurgency is on course in spite of recent attacks by insurgents on remote communities in Adamawa and Borno.

Buratai gave the assurance on Wednesday when he visited a military location at Gajigana in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno, which was recently attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

He said the recent attacks would not have much effects on the operation geared toward destroying all terrorists’ enclaves on Nigerian territory, describing them as a minor setback that was being addressed.

“This is Gajigana, it is one of our troops’ locations that was attacked recently by insurgents and we came here to find out what happened.

“The Brigade Commander has briefed me and we are looking at the situation to ensure that this kind of attack does not happen again.

“The recent attack in this community and on our location is unfortunate; we have observed some lapses on the part of our troops that is why I am here to assess the situation.

“Two days ago we had an attack in Gulak and we are also assessing the situation and we also want to improve on the situation, counter-insurgency is a very difficult operation and we will continue to do our best.

“I want to assure everybody that we are still firmly in control of the situation and we will continue to ensure the safety of everybody in the affected areas,” he said.

The chief of army staff called on the public to continue to cooperate with the military by providing useful information that would help in winning the war.

He added that the change in weather was affecting the entire operation especially as it related to poor visibility.

Buratai said poor visibility was a very critical factor in the operations in two ways, probably negatively and positively.

“If we can see far ahead then we will be able to detect any approach by the enemy so that we can take care of it effectively.

“If it is dark during the period of poor visibility we will have that constraint, so as it is the insurgents that have both advantage and also disadvantage during this period.

“But for now, we will apply all measures both in technology and human procedures to contain the challenge posed by bad weather especially poor visibility,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Boko Haram attacked troops’ location in Gulak on Sunday which was repelled.

Troops location at Gajigana was also recently attacked in which a soldier lost his life.

NAN reports that the army chief was accompanied by the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Acting Director Military Intelligence and the Acting Provost Marshal (Army).

Also on the entourage were representatives of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Police attached to the Military Command and Control Centre.