The Military high command in Abuja has said the military must win the war against the terrorists by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, during the press briefing on ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to Gen. Buba, “The military is wasting no time and sparing any effort to ensure the security and safety of citizens across the country. Accordingly, we will continue to take necessary measures to ensure a secure and safer environment for citizens.
“Following the chorus of voices saturating the airwaves in the country, there is no gain in saying that, there are salient challenges affecting our country that require practical ideas and solutions.
“It is against this background that the military finds itself uniquely positioned to unabatedly address the security challenges in the country.”
Maj. Gen. Buba said the Armed Forces are not only ensuring the decimation of terrorists and their cohorts in the country. It remains focused and concentrates on the task and mission at hand.
According to him, “During the week under review, Troops neutralised 286 and arrested 244 of them. Troops also arrested 83 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South, Troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Two Billion Five Hundred and Sixty-Five Million Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand and Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira (N2,565,479,720.00) only.
“The Troops further recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunitions. The breakdown is as follows: 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 Dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 10 IEDs.
“Others are 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles, and 74 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK, and 6,790 litres of PMS.”
Gen. Buba stated that the records so far are indicative of the fact that Troops are succeeding week in and week out in the ongoing counters insurgency operations across the country, adding that, the classic principle of counterinsurgency is that you cannot win this kind of war militarily.
“We have eliminated several terrorists, their leaders, and commanders. Troops are continually going after the terrorist and dislodging them from their hideouts. Despite all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“Accordingly, we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for the government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance.
“There is no doubt that the times that we are in, are difficult and therefore a watershed moment for our country. Citizens are urged to realize that tough times do not last, but tough people do. As a people, we are renowned for our pride in being tough and resilient. There is no better time to manifest these qualities in us in overcoming the pains of today, for the gains of tomorrow. I dare say that, this too shall pass.
“The time is ripe for patriotic and well-meaning citizens to contribute alternative ideas on ways to make a difference in turning the situation around. Collaborative effort is essential at this time. Simply put, we are one people, one nation, and one destiny.”
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