As the military has successfully recaptured Sambiza Forest, the dreaded enclave of the Boko Haram terrorists, the Nigerian Army is to set up an Army training and retraining centre for its troops in the area.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Tukur Buratai, while addressing the troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak on Christmas day congratulated the troops for seeing the end of Boko Haram insurgents’ strong hold, for capturing, on Thursday, the last enclave of Boko Haram through Operation Rescue Finale, for clearing Sambiza forest and for the decisive victory over the insurgents. He said “I am here in Damasak as part of the re-opening of the Maiduguri-Damasak road and Maiduguri-Baga road which were all as result of your success and also to celebrate the Christmas and new year with you.”
The Army Chief said that the clearing of the Sambiza area is essential for the military, as it will be very good for both tactical purposes and would also serve as a testing ground for new arms and ammunition before they are injected into the military’s operations. The vast area, he said, would also serve as training and retraining ground for the Nigerian Army.
He said the re-opening of the two roads will not only boost the socio-economic activities of the state but also signifies that peace has return to the North-east and called on the troops to do everything possible to sustain the peace and ensure that the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists did not re-group and launch an attack on military formations or innocent citizens.
General Buratai said his visit to Damasak was to boost the morale of the troops, celebrate with them during the Christmas, congratulate them on their victory against Boko Haram insurgents and re-open the Maiduguri-Gubio- Damasak road and Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga roads.
He said that the re-opening of the two roads is essential for the social and economic activities of the people of the area and is an indication that peace has returned to the North-east.
The Army Chief called on the military to sustain the peace already achieved, stressing that they should not extort motorists plying the roads, as their welfare has been well catered for by the military authorities, warning that anybody found extorting will be severely dealt with.
“I want to use this opportunity to sound a big warning that you should not extort money from motorists and anybody found wanting will be severely dealt with, as we have provided you with your allowances and logistics”, he stressed.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state said 2016 was his most memorable year, as it was the year that all occupied territories were liberated, the year that major roads in the state were re-opened and the year that the military recaptured Sambiza forest from Boko Haram.
He said “since I became governor in 2011, 2016 is my best year, as it was the year all local governments were liberated from Boko Haram, it was the year that major roads in Borno were re-opened and a year that Sambiza forest, the strong enclave of Boko Haram was liberated. What better Christmas and new year gift than these?”
While making his remarks in Damasak, the GOC 8 Division, Major General Mani urged officers and soldiers of the division to put more efforts into making sure they completely wipe out the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents where ever they may find themselves.
It could be recalled that the Maiduguri-Damboa road was re-opened on February 27, 2016; Maiduguri-Dikwa- Gamboru roads were re-opened on July 6, 2016 and now the critical Maiduguri-Gubio-Damasak and Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga essential economic roads of the state have been re-opened.
