×

Heightened Fight Against Insurgency Is Not Just For Elections – Olukolade

The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, on Tuesday maintained that the on going fight against insurgents in the north eastern part of Nigeria … Continue reading Heightened Fight Against Insurgency Is Not Just For Elections – Olukolade


Gombe Attack

Gombe AttackThe Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, on Tuesday maintained that the on going fight against insurgents in the north eastern part of Nigeria is not being carried out to only ensure the safety of Nigerians during the elections.

“I must make it clear that the activities that are being carried out at the moment in terms of the military operations, precedes the preparations for the general elections and the mandate has been to take care of the menace of terrorists and make way for the normal socio-economic as well political activities to take place.

“That mission is still on and that is the essence of what is still going on and that is the essence of all that is going on”, he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He further noted that “there are efforts to achieve it as quickly as possible; we are not even tying it to time but we are mobilising all the required resource to ensure that the mandate is achieved”.

He praised the efforts of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), adding that the operation is now more coordinated and organised compared to what was obtainable in the past, resulting in the level of success being recorded.

“The cohesion within the MNJTF has improved and everyone is more committed and putting the required resources for achieving the assignment within the combined operations”, he said.

Maj Gen Olukolade debunked claims that the United States of America refused to sell or donate equipment to the Nigerian Army because they are not well trained and assured that “apart from the fact that a lot of fighting and combat is on going, our troops are training and re-training” insisting that “there is a lot of adjustment and you can be sure that the Nigerian soldier is versatile enough to adjust to any situation”.

He also revealed that the Nigerian military has a lot of equipment coming in which will enhance the morale and performance of the troops during operations.

The Major General further noted that the operation, apart from being joint, is also combined, maintaining that each of the services has played its role as defined.

“While the Air Force is giving the required fire from the air and giving cover to every advance on the field, troops are moving in and occupying the streets and clearing the terrorists on ground” he maintained.

Counter-terrorism operations have heightened, with collaborated efforts from forces of countries bordering Nigeria in the north-east, the stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Nigeria’s general elections was postponed on February 7 by six weeks by the electoral commission to enable the military re-capture areas under the control of the terrorist.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said the decision to postpone the elections was reached after wide-reaching consultations and the advice of the security chiefs to postpone the elections.