JOS – Chief of Army Staff, Taoheed Lagbaja has said the conduct of offensive and other forms of operations by the troops deployed in the Northeast are all
ongoing , saying Army. has made significant gains.
The Chief of Army Staff General Lagbaja at a Press Conference in Jos during the Army week Celebrations held a Crispan Hotel, said “Beyond holding defensive positions and other strongholds that are not easily breached by the adversary, we have also taken the battle to the Boko Haram-ISWAP insurgents in their enclaves.”
According to him, they have just concluded another round of a major offensive, the dry season Offensive, tagged Operation Desert Sanity 3, Lake Sanity 2, and Mountain Sanity 2. Saying during this operation, they made inroads into the Timbuktu Triangle where the troops recovered equipment, including mine-resistance ambush-protected vehicles, artillery pieces, and other high-caliber weapons that were taken many years ago not only from Nigeria but from our international partners.”
” We also made significant gains in the Sambisa Forest and even in the Lake Chad Basin, particularly around Kerenowa, Chikun Gudu, Arina Woje, and extending up to Kangarwa in the north.
He hinted that based on the successes they have recorded from these offensives and our understanding of Boko Haram’s tactics, “we know that whenever they are under immense pressure, they react in various ways, stressing that One of their reactions is to send out suicide bombers, a tactic they have employed in previous years such as 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.”
“Following our major offensives like Deep Punch 1, Deep Punch 2, Amni Fakat, and others conducted in the Northeast, there has always been some form of reaction by the terrorists” stressing that. following the Army recent dry season offensive, they anticipated the terrorists to behave similarly to the past.
” We received intelligence that they prepared over 15 female suicide bombers from their camps. What we experienced in Gwoza is just a one-off incident, and I want to assure Nigerians that the troops are on top of the situation”
He said. the intelligence the Army received indicated that 15 suicide bombers were sent into Gwoza; three of them succeeded in detonating their bombs.
” If you observe the pattern of detonation, casualties reduced gradually until the last one was taken out by the troops, resulting in injury to the troops and casualties among the civilian joint task force.”
” We are saddened by this occurrence and have intensified measures to prevent a recurrence. One reassuring aspect is that out of 15 suicide bombers sent, only three managed to detonate their bombs. Even though this is regrettable, I would say the troops have performed well.”
According to him, the Army current efforts include projecting offensives into their enclaves to prevent them from producing suicide vests and other improvised explosive devices..
” We are also collaborating closely with the intelligence community to ensure our troops stay one step ahead of the insurgents, averting such dastardly acts that occurred in Gwoza.”
He added that despite commentary on a news recently ,Gone are the days when metal detectors used to be standard at entrances to places with large gatherings of people and appealedl that as the troops raise the bar, every stakeholder in the society must also raise their vigilance, saying that Collectively, “we can prevent these perpetrators from inflicting casualties on innocent civilians.”
” We need to reinstate the practice of using angle scanners and other detection methods to prevent suicide bombers and other criminals from infiltrating our communities at will.”
” We have seen instances where the Nigerian army has been extensively involved in civil matters, typically handled by the police, civil defense, or other primary organizations.
On matters concerning internal or civil security,
The Chief of Army Staff said the military in Nigeria has a primary constitutional role of safeguarding the nation against external aggression.
” However, we also have a secondary role in supporting civil authority, particularly in maintaining or restoring law and order during breakdowns. As I mentioned in a recent interview, our troops are deployed in almost all states of the Federation, with the exception of Osun State where we do not patrol the streets but maintain forward operational bases.”
He stressed that “When troops are deployed in populated areas, misunderstandings and conflicts can arise due to differences between military operations and civilian life.”
” In response to reports we’ve received, we conduct thorough investigations, often in collaboration with reputable organizations like the ICRC and the National Human Rights Commission. We have opened ourselves to scrutiny. Any reports involving our troops are subject to inquiry.”
He added that Additionally, they have established a toll-free line, the Nigeria Army Emergency Response (193), where any Nigerian can report incidents involving soldiers on the streets.
” We continue to educate our troops, providing them with rules of engagement and a code of conduct that are carried in booklets as a constant reminder to exercise maximum restraint and uphold the highest standards of discipline in their interactions within civilian domains.”
Regarding their current involvement in what you term “civilian matters,” Lagbaja said he viewed it as a vote of confidence in the military, saying Surprisingly, he received at least three requests monthly from executive governments and other stakeholders to establish forward operational bases in various locations.
” Presently, we have 37 such bases nationwide. While this trust is appreciated, we remain vigilant and committed to holding our troops accountable to the highest standards. Instances of misconduct are thoroughly investigated, and troops found at fault are held responsible for their actions.”
On two aircrafts, Patrolling in the Air, Lagbaja said “they are not combat enabled aircrafts. Nigerians are saying that they thought at this critical stage the army should have concentrated on getting combat aircrafts instead of air. For some of us, I know surveillance is very important and what those aircrafts are meant to do.”
On Why the army go for non-combat aircrafts instead of combat aircrafts at this critical time? Lagbaja also
said that the journey towards the actualization of the Nigerian army Aviation actually started in 1984, that’s 40 years ago.
“Since then, the Nigerian army has been training pilots, engineers, and other personnel engaged in the aviation industry. The idea of having an organic aviation arm to the army is the best practice worldwide. If you go to some African countries, like Kenya, I’m sure of that, Uganda, even the Central African Republic, the army in those countries have organic army aviation.”
” The organic army aviation is primarily tasked to conduct most of the tasks that the organic army aviation does is engaging, They are 66% non-combat. It’s either for casualty evacuation, troops in session, or other non-combat tasks. So it’s just about one-third of the rules of the organic army aviation that is combat in nature.
” Our toll-free line remains open for reports, and every allegation against our troops is thoroughly investigated with decisive actions taken. We emphasize restraint in our operations, guided by strict rules of engagement and a code of conduct. As professionals in the legal field say, it is better for 99 accused persons to go free than to wrongly convict one innocent individual. Therefore, our troops exercise caution to avoid harm to innocent civilians, even if it means refraining from engaging when unsure of a target’s identity.
“When necessary, we have also approached private entities like oil companies and Julius Berger for air support. Establishing an organic aviation arm within the Nigerian Army will undoubtedly bolster our operational capabilities in the field without competing with the Nigerian Air Force. Instead, it will enhance our ability to support and collaborate effectively with them.
On recent offensive, Lagbaja said “Operation Mountain Sanity 2, focused on the Mandara Mountains. We collaborated with our international partners, including the Cameroonians on the eastern side of the border, to clear areas like Agapadua and Chinini. However, the terrain in that area is challenging, and the weather has not been favorable. Following this offensive, combatants, including Ali Gwoza’s second-in-command, descended from the hills and surrendered to our troops with arms and ammunition.
According to him nine combatants from the Mandara Mountains surrendered to our troops, including several females and children, along with two AK-47 rifles and other ammunition from the areas you mentioned. “While I won’t claim total dominance over the Mandara Mountains, progress is being made. Our troops will continues until every inch of ground is liberated and we establish security, ensuring every community and forest footprint of insurgents is cleared.”
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