16th March, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, has said Wednesday’s twin attack on a mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State was an indication that members of Boko Haram group are struggling to survive.
Buratai who spoke in Benin City during a working visit to the headquarters of 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, lamented that it was unfortunate that innocent young girls were being sent to kill themselves and others.
He observed that those carrying out attacks were the remnants of Boko Haram insurgency, assuring that efforts were on to bring an end to insurgency in the country.
He said: “First of all, that report talking about the end of insurgency was not properly carried in the news. I did mention that insurgency is a very very difficult situation. It is a global phenomenon and we will continue to struggle to ensure that comes to an end very soon. This does not mean that insurgency will just die down.
“So, what happened today (Wednesday) is not unexpected because these people are struggling to survive and these are the last remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists. And as you know very well, they are sending innocent young girls to go and kill themselves. It is unfortunate.
“Their (Boko Haram) end is near definitely. But terrorism, in itself, is not something that you just wish away just like that; it requires a lot of intelligence, lot of painstaking measures so that we will be able to take care of it. They are within us, within the society and, at any point, they will sneak out and go and commit their crimes. So, it requires a lot of intelligence, and a lot of painstaking measures to completely end it.”
Commenting on the re-run elections in River State, the Army Chief said they were working to ensure peace during the period of the elections.
Earlier while addressing soldiers of the Brigade, Buratai urged them to be loyal to the constitution and to President Mohammadu Buhari.
He promised to improve on challenges being faced by soldiers of the Brigade.