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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Olufemi Oluyede has revealed that the support and participation of community members in terrorist attacks in Borno and Yobe states are prolonging the violence in the area.
Gen Oluyede made this known yesterday in an interview with journalists in Maiduguri during his and the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) visit to the state to assess the recent security situation.
The CDS urged the people of Borno and Yobe states to take ownership of the security challenge to end the protracted violence.
“For us to end these acts of terrorism, the people of Borno and Yobe must take ownership of the problem. This is because the bulk of those perpetrating these heinous crimes are from the states; they are our neighbours, cousins, and sisters, and we know them,” he declared.
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He cited the recent attack on a military location at Kukawa in the northern part of Borno. He said two of the wounded terrorists caught after the attack are members of the community.
“When Kukawa was attacked, and we were consulting cordon and search, two of the wounded terrorists that attached the place are from the community,” he disclosed.
He admitted there has been an upsurge in terrorist attacks in the North-East in recent times. He said the military is exploring modalities to end the violence that has persisted for 16 years.
The CDS also said the military is studying the deployment of technology, especially the use of drones by terrorists. He noted that ongoing research will help the Nigerian forces respond appropriately to the development and halt the terrorists’ latest strategy.
Both the defence chief and army chief, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Maiduguri at about 10:40 am and subsequently went into a closed-door operational review meeting with the theatre commander, Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, sector commanders, operational commanders and top military officers.
