Buratai renames counter-insurgency operation ‘peace a must’

DETERMINED to inject fresh impetus in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East, the new Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Maj.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has effected a change on the operational code from Operation Zaman Lafiya to Operation Lafiya Dole, meaning operation ‘Peace a must’, to reflect the renewed desire of the present administration.

The Chief of Army Chief, who said it was time for the military to force the insurgents to accept peace in the North-East sub-region as Nigeria and its citizens have “suffered much enough” in the hands of Boko Haram terrorists group, made the declaration while addressing troops of the 103 Battalion in Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Council of Borno State, saying the change was part of his administration’s all out war against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeastern part of the country.

Also speaking in an interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) monitored in Abuja yesterday, Buratai, who is an indigene of Biu Local Council of Borno State, said the essence of the renaming to Operation Lafiya Dole (peace at all cost) was to force the insurgents to conform.

“It is the wish of the Federal Government to end this terrorism quickly in this part of the country and indeed some other challenges in the South-South and other parts of the country. This will make us to have a very peaceful country free from any insecurity”, he said.

He, however, noted: “As the insurgents have refused to understand and come out to do the right thing, we must force them out, right away.

“There must be peace, and peace is now.”

He told the troops that they should not wait for Boko Haram to attack them first, but to take the battle to the insurgents’ hide-out and training camps in the Sambisa forest or any hide-out in the affected areas of North-East and the Lake Chad Basin areas of Borno State.

The army chief, who explained that the renaming of the operation would bring new strategic military direction, new vigour and “efficiently professional Nigerian Army”, said the counter-insurgency operation has been on for some time up till when it was named Operation Zaman Lafiya (operation live in peace).

He said the nation had wished to live with peace; but Boko Haram has made peace elusive to the people, maintaining that there must be peace (Lafiya Dole).

He urged other collaborative agencies and the people to key into his vision in ending terrorism and insurgency in the North-East and some other security challenges in the South-South as well as North-Central.

The CoAS told the troops he had been briefed about equipment and logistics, promising to follow up discussions with their commanders before returning to the Army Headquarters.

On claims of low morale, especially among soldiers on allegation of low or lack of welfare programme for them, he said: “God’s willing and with God on our side, we would do all that is humanly possible, you know, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has given us the necessary political backing in a way that we can tackle the war against Boko Haram members, and regarding equipment, whatever they require in terms of welfare so that they can continue to tackle the insurgency and also in terms of health care facilities as well kits, we will provide them and I can assure you of real change, and not a ruse.