Military doing everything possible to end insurgency – CAS
Insurgency
By Henry Oladele
Lagos, July 23, 2018 (NAN) The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Monday said the military was doing everything possible to end the insurgency by Boko Haram in the country.
Abubakar, who gave the assurance during the inauguration of the reconstructed officers’ mess at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Lagos, said the military had come a long way in recapturing control of areas formerly under Boko Haram captivity.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure we deal with the problem of Boko Haram.
“Lets not forget where we are coming from an era where over 22 local governments were controlled by Boko Haram before we recaptured them
“However, I am not saying that we should allow this to happen but what I can tell you is that in all insurgences, what is required is for us to keep the fight,’’ he said.
Abubakar, who also said that intelligence gathering was key in the fight against insurgency, added that the cooperation of the people were needed to give the military required intelligence to work.
“But on the whole, I think we are working hard and we will sustain it to ensure that every community in Nigeria is secured,’’ he said.
Abubakar also expressed hope that all security agencies would continue to work in synergy in first gathering intelligence, before the physical warfare can be fought.
“We need to work hand in hand with security agencies in providing intelligence which is very important.
“No fighter aircraft can detect a girl carrying bomb. It’s human being that will come and disclose what is happening and where.
“It’s also from that intelligence that you plan your operation and make sure you deal with that threat.
“So, I want to urge us to keep supporting the Federal Government, our Armed Forces and other security agencies and also pass whatever information that is useful to all security agencies,’’ he said.
While commending the NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Austine Jekenu for a job well done in reconstructing of the mess, Abubakar said that was what leadership was all about.
The air force boss said the commandant had been able to turn around the face of NAFRC within a short time.
“Honestly, I am delighted with what is here. This is what I call a people’s centered leadership.
“What we have went round to see shows that the commandant and his team have focused on building capacity and he has done exceptionally well,’’ he said.
Jekenu, who took the CAS on a tour of the NAFRC establishment, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support to the centre.
Present at the inauguration were top officers in the military both serving and retired. (NAN)
HOB/FF/AFA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Felix Ajide