The Nigerian Army says its troops of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ have heightened the tempo of the chase of remnants of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the Northeast region.

The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, in a statement in Abuja, said that many of the terrorists were on the run.

Iliyasu disclosed that the troops had in recent times, dealt deadly blows on the terrorist elements, who laid ambush along Jakana – Mainok Road. He added that several insurgents were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds leading to capturing of two gun trucks and different calibre of weapons.

According to him, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion deployed at Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno, had on Jan. 27 launched a successful ambush against the terrorists mounted on motorcycles at Sabon Garin Kirawa.

He added that the encounter led to the killing of two of the insurgents and capturing of motorcycles as well as a number of weapons and ammunition.

“In the same vein, on Jan. 28, troops of 159 Task Force Battalion deployed at Gubio in conjunction with elements of the Civilian JTF neutralised two of the insurgents forcing others to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds.

“Notwithstanding, the troops captured one AK 47 Rifle, 4 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 46 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

“Regrettably, one soldier and one member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were wounded in action. “However, the wounded were immediately moved to a military medical facility and are currently responding positively to treatment,” he said. Iliyasu disclosed that the troops had continued to record successes across the theatre of operation noble of which was the arrest of one Modu Gana, a high profile Boko Haram spy and logistics supplier at Bulunkutu Ngomari in Jere local government area.

He explained that preliminary investigation revealed a series of communication between the suspect and an ISWAP Commander – Bukar Fatumani requesting him to conduct surveillance on troops’ location at Benisheik, Jakana, Auno and Njimtilo. According to him, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team had recently recovered and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device planted by the insurgents along Konduga- Kawuri Road, Garin Giwa – Cross Kauwa Road and Dikwa – Marte road.

The spokesperson said that a lot of successes had been recorded in the Northwestern states against bandits, armed robbers and kidnappers in the past weeks.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai wishes to reassure the general public of the resolve of the Nigerian army to continue to execute its constitutional mandate professionally and responsively for a better and secured Nigeria. “He also thanks to all well-meaning Nigerians for their continued support, goodwill and understanding toward officers and men of the Nigerian Army.

The students of Ebonyi State University, on Thursday, applauded Governor David Nweze Umahi over the construction of the road leading to the institution on the concrete pavement.

The students appreciated Governor Umahi for the quality of work being done on the road.

In a statement on Thursday, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Francis Nwaze said it is the major road linking Abakaliki-Ishieke-Enugu old road.

According to him, “It was hitherto a death trap to users and a heartache to students plying it as it was filled with potholes.”

“Recall that Governor David Umahi had a few months ago, during his campaign for the second tenure promised to construct the road to the standard that will make it to last beyond 50 years.”

“Truth is, his promise was never to make it a double lane but as the construction goes on, the entire people of the affected communities were thrown into surprise as they discovered that the road is not just made with 8 inches concrete pavement but also dualized thereby, making way for free movement of the road users.”

“The most affected people on this development apart from the Ishieke community are the Ebonyi State University students who access their main campus, market and residence through the road.”

“Some students during our visit to the construction site appreciated and thanked Gov. Umahi for the quality of work being done on the road.”

“Indeed, we are proud to say that we have a brand new Ebonyi State.”

The crisis between two top Nigerian security chiefs, the Chief of Army Staff Tukur Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the National Security Adviser retired Major Gen. Babagana Monguno, heightened on Tuesday when the former removed senior army officers from the office of the latter allegedly without sending replacements.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari has not formally reinstated Mr Monguno as NSA, he still holds the fort in the office, advises the president on national security issues, attends cabinet and security council meetings.

The “mass transfer” of army officers critical to the smooth running of the office had laid bare the strategic office responsible for digesting intelligence reports and briefing the president.

Mr Monguno, it was gathered from informed sources, is not only on collision course with Mr Buratai but other heads of sister security organisations.

A few years ago, the office suffered a similar manpower drain when a feud between Mr Monguno and Lawal Daura, a former Director-General of the State Security Service, led to the withdrawal of all the SSS officers from the ONSA.

Insiders said the latest “mass transfer” was effected without the knowledge of the NSA and is the worst in the history of the office.
Credible sources confirmed to DAILY NIGERIAN that the Chief of Army Staff had transferred Major General Adeyinka Famadewa, the Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA. Mr Famadewa is simply the chief of staff to the NSA.

Others affected by the transfer are Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, the Director Defence Affairs; Brigadier General Jafaru Mohammed, the Director of Finance and Administration; the Special Assistant to the NSA, Colonel AA Ibrahim and; the Director Legal Intercept, SS Shehu.

Also affected are Colonel Adesuyi (Crisis Center), UF Abubakar (Counter-terrorism centre), among others from the rank of colonel to Major General.
DAILY NIGERIA gathered that before the latest development, Mr Buratai had transferred the Director of Communication in the ONSA, Brigadier General MT Abdullahi, a few weeks ago.

Implications of the Crisis

With the mounting security challenges facing the country, feelers argue that absence of synergy among the security chiefs is drawing the administration’s efforts at tackling security backwards.

Insiders said the Office of the NSA under Mr Monguno has been looked down upon by the nation’s military brass, such that the service chiefs shun statutory meetings summoned by the NSA.

“This is the first time critical organs in the ONSA were removed in huge number. It is clear the decision was due to the battle of egos between Monguno and Buratai.

“The fact of the matter is that the service chiefs are not honouring the invitations of the NSA. They shun the ICC (Intelligence Community Committee) and JIB (Joint Intelligence Board) meetings, which are statutory or send representatives.

“This is not the situation in the past where the service chiefs never missed even non-statutory meetings like GESAC (General Security Appraisal Committee) meeting,” a source who preferred not to be named said.

According to the source, during such regular meetings, the security situation in the country is tabled, appraised and solution proffered for onward transmission to the president through the NSA.

Efforts to get the official response of the Office of the NSA were unsuccessful as “nobody officially speaks for the NSA nor his office”.
A spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sagir Musa, declined comment on the matter. (DAILY NIGERIA)