By Augustine Ehikioya
Terrorists in the North East of Nigeria, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, no doubt, have been greatly degraded by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), in collaboration with sister arms and other security agencies.
Even though they no longer have the boldness and ruthless attacks they exhibited in the recent past, they still pose a threat to Nigeria as a nation.
Despite many of them now laying down their arms and surrendering to AFN, some of the unrepentant terrorists have continued to exploit the difficult geographical terrains of Sambisa Forest, Gezuwa, Gargash and Mandara Mountains to carry out attacks.
From hiding, they now resort to sneaking out from their safe havens to carry out attacks on soft targets or execute their ambush plots against troops.
In a move to bring to the public what is really happening in Borno State, Security Watch Africa (SWA) visited some locations in the State and had exclusive interview with Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, who is the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division of the NigerianArmy, whose Area Of Responsibility (AOR) covers Borno State.
He spoke on a number of issues on security in the State and how the Division is handling the remnant unrepentant terrorists in hiding.
On his assessment of security situation in his AOR, he said “The division’s AOR is relatively calm but unpredictable due to activities of some remnant of BHT/ISWAP insurgents who scampers for safe haven in the general area of Sambisa Forest, Gezuwa, Gargash and Mandara Mountains, taking advantage of the geography of these areas to evade troops’ operational activities.
“Nevertheless, normal activities have resumed in most towns and villages that are located within the Sector’s AOR due to troops engagement in aggressive patrols and clearance operations.
“To further consolidate the successes, the Government has been making efforts to return the locals who were displaced due to the insurgency back to their ancestral homes.
Asked what he did differently to boost peace and free movement of people in his AOR, the Acting GOC said “Restoration of peace, security and the attainment of sustainable socio-economic activities in the NE is the overall objective of Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ.
“Attainment of the military objective which is primarily the obliteration of the terrorists in the region requires the restoration of socio- economic activities.
“It is in line with this that the Division has been working tirelessly to ensure that the local communities within our Area of Responsibility go about their legitimate daily activities through sustained operational activities like patrols, escort duties, ambushes and other offensive operations to deny the terrorists freedom of action and ensure the safety of the people.”
He also noted that the Division has been recording successes against the terrorists even before his assumption of duty as the Acting GOC and Commander Sector 1 of Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ.
Continuing, he said “I try to ensure that the successes being achieved are maintained.”
Some of the successes the Division has achieved so far include neutralization of 618 terrorists within AOR, Destruction of 461 terrorists’ enclaves, Conduct of clearance ops in SAMBISA, LAKE CHAD region, YUWE and the MANDARA Mountains.
Other achievements are the recovery of arms, ammunition, vehicles and equipment, many of which were destroyed.
The Acting GOC also disclosed that more than 108,104 BHT/ISWAP have surrendered to troops, out of which 42,189 have been handed over to the Borno State Government.
Other achievements include the rescue of 2 abducted Chibok girls, creation of enabling environment for the restoration of civil administration and relocation of many IDPs to their ancestral homes.
Parts of its successes, he said, include improved security in Maiduguri Municipal City and other Local Government Areas, for farming activities as well as IDP camps within the entire AOR.
Noting that there is restoration of law and order in several communities, according to him, the troops have also embarked on strangulation operations against terrorists’ logistics suppliers and collaborators.
One of the great successes is the psychological operations conducted which led to the surrendering of several terrorist fighters.
He commended the direction, guidance and support the Division has been getting from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) through the Theatre Commander.
“First of all, you need to understand that it is the COAS who through the Theatre Commander, Major General W Shaibu gives the direction, guidance, leadership and all the human and material resources required for us to carry out our mandate.
“So, what the COAS provides is more than ‘help’. He provides excellent leadership to us and hence the successes recorded so far.
“Please take a close look at his Command Philosophy which is ‘To Transform the NA into a Well-Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within Joint Environment.”
“There is a strong nexus between the Command Philosophy and what we are doing here. Without troops that are well-trained, equipped and motivated, we cannot achieve our mandate here which is part of our constitutional responsibility.”
Also impressed with the contribution of the State Government, the Acting GOC said “One of the priorities in addressing insecurity is the restoration of civilian administration and services to conflict-affected communities.
“The years of insurgency have devastated the social infrastructures and services in the North East region including health, education and policing among others. The dysfunctional state of such services made the communities more vulnerable to extremist recruitment and other vices.
“The Governor has made distinct efforts to address these immense challenges and foster greater citizens’ trust in government. Such as: Rebuilding Police stations, creating conducive environment to bring back civil servants (including judges, healthcare givers and security agencies),
The State Government, according to him, was also involved in “tackling pervasive sense of insecurity through provision of low-cost housing, road construction and other infrastructural, Provision of agricultural supports like seeds and fertilizer at subsidized rate to enable the locals return to their farms, development in rural areas, Provision of affordable transport system like the electric taxis, and Periodic provision of palliatives to affected communities.”
Asked what his message to the public would be, he said “The general public is beginning to understand and appreciate efforts of the NA in restoring peace and security in the NE region and to the country as a whole.
“I assure you, we will continue to sustain the feat achieved by intensifying our efforts in the clearance of remnants of terrorists from their camps and enclaves so that durable peace would be restored finally in the NE region.
“The onus for maintaining peace and security lies with everyone. I therefore call on the general public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the military and other security agencies in their efforts at restoring peace and security in the region.
“They should always remember that the soldiers are out there denying themselves all comforts to ensure that the rest of the citizens sleep with their two eyes closed,” he stated.
With the Acting GOC’s determination to smoke out all the remnant terrorists in his AOR, it can only be hoped that all hands must be on deck to achieve this.
Backing this up and encouraging every soldier in the State will eventually lead to cracking down on all unrepentant terrorists hiding under and around the coverage of 7 Division.
Achieving this will mean eradication of terrorists in the AOR and paving way for all yet to return Internally Displaced Persons to immediately return to their ancestral homes.
