Insecurity must end to restore peace in North East— CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff, Maj-Gen. Lucky Irabor has said all insecurity issues within Operation Lafiya Dole must come to an end.

The over a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency has claimed 36,000 lives, with property worth $9.2b (about N3.42t) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states lost in the process.

Irabor made the declarations, yesterday, while addressing 106 troops at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maiduguri, the state capital.

He said the restoration of peace in the region is a work in progress, as the security situation is not as bad as before.

Other Service Chiefs that accompanied Irabor on the operational visit include the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao, Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Auwal Gambo.

His words: “Gentlemen, we’ve come here accompanied by the Security Chiefs and other principal service officers from Defence and Service Headquarters; the second time in about two months.

We’re here to see you and how far you’ve undertaken the instruction that were passed on to you on the ongoing counter-insurgency and terrorism operations.”

He said the Theatre Commander, along with his officers, have been giving a thorough brief on counter-insurgency operations in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region.

Commending the troops, he said: “I can only commend you for the resilience you’ve shown in the last one month. The various successes you have recorded, despite the few drawbacks did not deter you, as you remain committed and resilient…”