The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) while making this charge noted and commended the various successful and operational victories in counter-insurgency operations against the Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke, BMO said that the bombardment of various operational bases, communication infrastructures, neutralising of top commanders of the insurgents have disoriented and put the insurgents’ camp in disarray.
“This has resulted in their members deploying arson and attacking soft targets like the last kicks of a dying horse, aimed at projecting fear into the people’s psyche.”
Appreciating officers and troops for their sacrifice in the theatre of operations, BMO noted that “the commendation by the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) saluting the troops’ brave performance and patriotism, which is leading to the near annihilation of the insurgents on the fringes of Lake Chad basin is a strategic morale booster and shall encourage the personnel to redouble their commitment towards the operations and end this protracted war.
“The officers and men have shown tremendous mastery in this war, sending a signal of strength that Nigeria’s territorial integrity remains intact by OWN troops who forestalled the planned subversion against her sovereignty without procuring the services of Private Military Contractors, otherwise known as foreign mercenaries.
“For those with an in-depth knowledge of the goings-on in the North-East, the Buhari Administration’s approach in conducting its counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations has deployed a mass attack approach against the insurgents which has led to enclaves and hideouts being destroyed. Joining forces with our neighbours under the auspices of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has led the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) taking its firepower to the enemies’ camp by embarking on cross border strikes”.
On the call for the Service Chiefs to be changed, BMO noted that “President Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief (CnC) understands the impact rotating military chiefs strategically engaged in the frontline operations could have, and the potential dangers of taking the country and the region back to its pre-2015 moments.
“The dynamics of asymmetric warfare underscore the need for leadership stability, to avoid tactical and operational mistakes that can be exploited by the insurgents to quickly recover from previous defeats and reorganise themselves, replace lost fighters and continue threatening destruction against Nigeria.”
The BMO is of the opinion that “today’s war on terror is intelligence-driven. With the full cooperation of the community, actionable intelligence is derived and leads to victory against the insurgents.”
BMO urged the public to continue supporting the Armed Forces in their quest to rid the North-East of the remnants of insurgents, and build trust with their host communities as a key strategy in dominating the insurgents.