By Patrick Wemambu
Military high command in Nigeria has vowed that its operations against terrorists and kidnappers across the nooks and crannies of the nation will continue, arguing that the onslaught on the criminal elements is responsible for their fleeing their hideouts.
The military also refuted claims in some quarters that it has a ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province and other criminal groups in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, at a joint security briefing in Abuja on Thursday, where he assured that the military was sustaining pressure on the armed groups.
“On the issue of whether there is a ceasefire with Boko Haram, I want to make it clear that there is nothing like a ceasefire.
“Considering the terrorists neutralised, suspects arrested, victims rescued and other successes recorded across our operations, it is clear that we are not relenting,” he maintained.
The defence spokesman said the military’s operations were not restricted to Boko Haram and ISWAP but also targeted kidnappers and other armed criminal groups threatening the lives and security of Nigerians.
On reports of insurgents moving into parts of the country where they were previously less active, Uba described the development as evidence of the impact of ongoing military operations but said the Armed Forces were not taking the situation lightly.
Uba cited the recent neutralization of a high-level terrorist in a forest area as evidence that insurgents would not find safe havens anywhere in the country.
Reeling out the military’s achievement, it said troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.
He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders such as Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.
Uba said troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the military statement came amid a report that the Federal Government had entered into a secret ceasefire agreement with the Boko Haram faction.
The faction was said to be led by one Bakura Doro, and the ceasefire reportedly contributed to relative calm in parts of the North-East for about three months.
