‘Army ’ll maintain partnership with media, others for peace in North East’

Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, has said the Nigerian Army will continue to partner the media and stakeholders to restore peace in North East.

Ali stated this, yesterday, in an interactive session with journalists at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State.

The partnership, he added, could strengthen the synergy among security agencies in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.

His words: “The media is critical and has contributed a lot to the successes recorded on the frontlines of Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region.”

According to the commander, the military cannot do it without the support of the media and stakeholders in the non-kinetic operations.

“The non-kinetic operations comprised 75 per cent of the military-civilian activities to restore peace, as well as the restoration of people’s livelihoods destroyed in the over a decade insurgency.”

“I am always prepared to parley with the media. The doors of the Army are open for synergy to overcome the security challenges with other security agencies,” he said.

He, therefore, assured that the command had got instructions from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to provide security during the 2023 general elections.

Speaking on the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he described the establishment of Microfinance Banks (MfBs) in the 27 local councils as a great concern to the Army.

He warned that giving Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) access to funds could fuel terrorism in the state.