Service chiefs comply with directive, arrive Maiduguri
The service chiefs and the director of Defense Intelligence, with the exception of the Chief of Naval Staff, arrived Maiduguri yesterday in compliance with the presidential directive for them to relocate to the Northeast to restrategize towards successfully checking the surge in Boko Haram insurgency.
After a 4- hour closed-door meeting by the Defense, Army and Air Force chiefs with Commander and officers of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Director of Defense Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said the service chiefs’ arrival in Maiduguri was the decisive launch pad for the renewed war against the Boko Haram terrorism by the Nigerian military.
The Defense spokesman said during their meeting, the service chiefs also reviewed facts surrounding the latest Boko Haram resurgence that led to the death of over 69 persons, including NNPC and University of Maiduguri staff and members of civilian JTF in Bornoyesu, with some of them missing.
He disclosed that the meeting, presided over by the Chief of Defense Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, reviewed the strategic direction and operational plans of the terror war to give fresh impetus to the actions, moves and efforts of the military in the Northeast.
Enenche expressed the Defense Headquarters’ appeal to the communities directly affected by negative acts of terrorism and criminality to divulge information to the security agencies to assist in combating the insurgents.
Enenche said, “The Chief of Defence held a briefing session with the Chief of Army Staff , the Chief of Air Staff , the Theatre commander and senior officers of the military high command at the Military Command and Control Centre on 1st August 2017, on the reviewed strategic direction and operational plans , in compliance to the directive of the Acting President.”
The spokesman reassured that the COAS directive to the officers and men of the Nigerian military to arrest the Leader of Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau dead or alive was still sacrosanct, and the service chiefs’ presence in Maiduguri would help in that direction.
He said renewed operations included restructuring, restrategizlng and intelligence, among others, to completely end Boko Haram insurgency.