Boko Haram: Buhari happy with troops’ performance – Defence Minister; Informant arrested, security tightened in Yobe – Army

Maj. Gen. Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Defence

By Yakubu Uba, Maiduguri,/Sumaila Ogbaje, Abuja,

April 18, 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, has commended the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole combating insurgents in the north-eastern part of the country, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari appreciates their performance.

Magashi made the commendation on Sunday while addressing the troops at the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Maiduguri.

This is as the Nigerian Army said that the troops of 27 Task Force Brigade on the platform of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested a suspected Boko Haram informant identified as Modu Ari, in Kamuya area of Yobe.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, while addressing the troops in Maiduguri, said: “Let me begin by thanking you all for the work you have been doing.

“The job you have been doing is highly appreciated by our Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, President Muhammadu Buhari and he said we should come here and talk to you to continue with the effort,” Magashi said.

The minister, who noted the injuries and loss of lives by some personnel in the course of the assignment, assured them that their losses would not be in vain.

He observed that the Nigerian military has distinguished itself in various operations across the world and that the insurgency would not be different.

“You are doing your best and we recognise that.

“You have already been baptised, all you need to do is to find the enemy and bring him to his knees.

“We have the resources, the equipment to improve your standard and the training to be able to do this good job.

“We will continue to improve on your welfare and allowances and all what is due to you.

“Very soon we will embark on recruitment of other soldiers and officers so that we can improve the manpower of our armed forces.

“Your commanders will brief you on further details of what we discussed with them,” Magashi said.

The defence minister, who also spoke to newsmen on his visit to assess the fighting spirit of the troops, urged journalists to be patriotic in reporting the military.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister’s entourage included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishiaka Amao.

The minister and his team also visited injured soldiers at 7 Division Gospital.

In his statement on the security situation in Yobe, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Yerima, said the activities of the suspected informant and his accomplices were responsible for the recent attacks on troops’ positions by terrorists in the area.

Yerima said the suspect confessed during interrogation to have revealed troops’ movements and positions to his Boko Haram collaborators.

According to Brig.-Gen Yerima, the investigation is ongoing to unravel the network of local informants whose nefarious activities have endangered troops on clearance operations around the fringes of Timbuktu Triangle.

He said the unfortunate sabotage of troops movement by Ari and his accomplices made it possible for the terrorists to attack the rear element of troops on patrol.

The Army spokesperson said that the attack was swiftly repelled by troops from the Tactical Headquarters of 27 Task Force Brigade and Army Super Camp 3 Buratai, noting that troops suffered some casualties.

“In spite of the setback, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has encouraged troops of Operation Tura Takaibango to keep their fighting spirit up and to remain dedicated in the effort to flush out the remnants of the terrorists as quickly as possible.

“He charged them not to relent even in the face of gross unpatriotic acts of some locals who are snitching on their movements and positions.

“The COAS also admonished citizens to, as a matter of patriotic duty, avail the troops of credible and timely information that will help them to flush out the adversaries,” he said.