By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) , assured on Thursday that the security challenges in the country would be effectively tackled with the on-going reorganization of the operations of the nation’s Armed Forces.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations in the DHQ, Major-General EJ Enenche, who gave the assurance during the media briefing in Abuja, said the exercise was in line with the reorganization of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the recent appointment of new service chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He noted that the recent changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces would no doubt witness the changes that would usher in new modus operandi for tackling the security challenges in the country.
Already, he said, “the Service Chiefs on assumption immediately hit the ground running by conducting an operational visit to the North East. They have also visited some operational areas in the Country to interact with troops and commanders in the field in the various theatres.”
“It is aimed at ensuring that the military high commands come up with new ways and means of tackling the security challenges,” he explained.
Giving an update on the general operations of the Armed Forces, Major-General Enenche said that in order to ensure effective prosecution of the war against terrorism and armed banditry, the service chiefs, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General LEO Irabor, commenced action at all levels which include carrying out strategic, administrative, operational and logistics adjustments, changes and reviews, to improve the security situation in the Country.
“As such, all stakeholders are requested to give maximum support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff,” said the DMO Coordinator.
On the situation in the North-West Zone, Major-General Enenche noted that Troops of Operations HADARIN DAJI had continued to sustain their efforts progressively, adding that the gallant troops within the period in focus carried out several land and air operations in the Zone, including “clearance and ambush operations as well as aggressive ground and aerial patrols in order to ensure security of lives and property within the Zone.”
“In the North East Zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria working together with other security agencies have continued to sustain the onslaught against the insurgents. Within the period under review, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on various occasions made contact and engaged some Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminal elements. In the various encounters, more terrorists’ enclaves have been destroyed along with their logistics facilities and scores of their fighters neutralized through ground and air strikes at different locations in the North East Zone,” Enenche said.
He said that Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies operating in the North-Central Zone of the Country were also sustaining the fight against armed banditry and other criminal vices in the Zone with remarkable results.
“Several combined land and air operations were conducted within the period, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of armed bandits and recovery of caches of arms and ammunition. As the land troops maintain aggressive fighting patrols to dominate the theatre of operation, the air component dominated the airspace with air reconnaissance activities,” he said.
In the South-South Zone, he said, “troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to protect and safeguard our coastal and territorial waters through intensive sea and creek patrols,” adding that the troops conducted anti-crude oil theft and anti-illegal bunkering operations as well as other anti-illegal maritime activities, and in the process, deactivated several illegal refining sites within the period in focus.
“In the course of the operations, large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO as well as some equipment were recovered,” he said.
He further gave an update on the situation in the South West Zone, disclosing that troops had sustained their efforts in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft as well as other economic saboteurs through raids and arrests within the period.
“Consequently, several pipeline vandals and smugglers were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting authorities for necessary action,” just as several bags of foreign parboiled rice and illegally smuggled items and vessels were seized.
The DMO Coordinator therefore urged Nigerians to support the Armed Forces in their efforts in tackling security challenges confronting our dear nation, emphasizing that collective efforts were essential in the fight against the various security vices in the country.
“The Military High Command reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the Country. Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action,” Major-General Enenche said.
Source: NATIONAL ACCORD