MAIDUGURI (Sundiata Post) – The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has blamed the recent attacks on Gajigana, Magumeri Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State and Gulak, Adamawa State, by Boko Haram terrorists last Sunday, on poor weather conditions, and momentary lapses by the troops.
Buratai stated this after an assessment of troops location and affected communities on Monday night, where he was received and conducted round troops’ deployment by the Commander, 5 Brigade and the Commanding Officer of 243 Battalion.
The COAS while fielding questions from journalists that accompanied him, stated that he was there to see things for himself, asses the situation and give necessary directives.
“This is Gaji-Gana, 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 is unfortunate, we have observed some lapses on the part of our troops that is why I am here to assess the situation,” he said.
Buratai, however, noted that the change in weather was affecting the entire operation especially as it relates to poor visibility.
According him, poor visibility is a very critical factor in the operations in two ways probably negatively and positively.
He said: “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 have both an advantage and also disadvantage during this period.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560”]
“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.”
Buratai, who was in company of other commanders, expressed dissatisfaction with the troops’ conduct and warned that such incident should not repeat itself.
He also stated that the recent wave of attacks by terrorists in Gulak and Gajigana should be seen as isolated cases that would not be allowed to repeat itself because adequate measures were being taken to deal decisively with the any of such occurrences.
He assured that the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations was on course and progressing smoothly despite recent attacks by insurgents on remote communities in Borno and Adamawa states.
According to him, the attacks had no effect on the operation geared toward destroying all terrorists enclaves on Nigerian territory, describing them as a minor setback that was being addressed.
“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,” Buratai said.
Speaking further, the Army Chief also assured that the military and the security agencies would continue to improve their performances.
He however warned troops to be more proactive and alive to their duties as everything is being done to support them.
He also called on the public especially those residing in the affected area to support and cooperate with the troops by exposing suspected Boko Haram terrorists that live among them.
“The recent attacks had every element of criminality, as such the people need to fully support the security agencies to finally defeat terrorism and criminality in our society,” he added.
Buratai was accompanied by the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 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.
In the same vein, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said that Boko Haram attacked the Nigerian troops location in Gulak on Sunday, which was repelled, killing three terrorists, while quite number escaped with gun shot wounds.
In addition, he said, a Toyota Hilux, PKM gun, General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three AK-47 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenade tube and Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb were recovered by the troops.
Usman listed other recoveries to include, a charger, seven boxes of 7.62mm Link, GP 340 hand-held radio, four boxes of 7.62mm X 54mm ammunition, three anti riot hand-held grenade, as well as 30 cleaning kits, two packets of artillery primers and 97 pieces of Zela fuse.
He said the troops were further pursuing the escaping terrorists and also exploiting to further block such kind of incursion through their blocking position.
“The troops at Gajigana were attacked in which a soldier lost his life. The location have also been reinforced and the troops are now poised for any eventuality,” he said.
