‘Army to establish more operation bases’

Troops arrest 21 suspected cattle rustlers in Borno

The Army will establish additional Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) to support increasing operations nationwide.The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) , Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who disclosed this yesterday, said the establishment of more operational bases had been captured in the 2017 budget.

“The increasing operational activities in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism in the North-East has necessitated the Nigerian Army establishing this operational base in Buratai village,” said the CoAS while commissioning the military FOB at Buratai Village in Borno State.

He added: “You’re aware that Buratai serves as a major link between Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the North-East sub-region of this country. Therefore, this military base becomes necessary in supporting our operations in the area for the protection of people’s lives and property.”

In the meantime, soldiers in collaboration with other security agencies have arrested 21 suspected cattle rustlers in Borno State while clearing the remnants.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Maiduguri, the state capital.The statement said: “Preliminary investigation and profiling of the suspects had already commenced.

“Although investigations are ongoing, it is important to state that this is a warning to all those collaborators that aid and abet terrorism in the North-East generally and Borno State in particular to desist forthwith.”

He, therefore, urged members of the public to report any known or suspected illegality to the military and other security agencies for prompt action against cattle and other livestock rustling.