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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The military said it is working to counter ambushes by Boko Haram and its splitter group, ISWAP in some parts of North East especially with the onset of the rainfalls thus making the area difficult.
Theatre commander of the counter-insurgency operation in the North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, told Sunday Sun in Maiduguri that the military was aware terrorists could spring up attacks on troops and civilians particularly in the remote areas. He, however, maintained that troops were prepared to halt the insurgents’ movement.
“We are aware that during rainy season, because of the terrain, the vegetation, the terrorists have places to hide and conduct some ambushes. We have trained our troops to counter such moves,” he disclosed.
He said the theatre expected and anticipated locations where such terror acts could happen.
“It is a procedure. We are training our troops and that is working already,” he explained.
He urged them not to entertain fears. He assured the theatre and other security agencies would not relent in clearing Boko Haram and other criminal elements from the area.
Gen Musa was speaking against the backdrop of concerns expressed by residents over possible escalation of terror attacks especially in Borno following the onset of rain season.
He also disclosed the military was getting and arresting Boko Haram spies, logistics, foodstuffs, petrol suppliers among others. He urged the citizens not to trade with terrorists, warning that anyone caught would be treated as terrorists too.
“The idea of buying fuel at the filling station, buying foodstuffs in large quantity, loading them in trucks which are parked along the road till nightfall as if they are broken down but rather for Boko Haram to park them in the night, has been uncovered and we will not spare such collaborators,” he said.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff for his direction on the operation and concern for the welfare of troops on the frontline.
