Boko Haram Attacks: CDS Reads Riot Act To Service Chiefs

The Chief of Defense Staff General Gabriel Olonisakin has read the riot act to the service chiefs in the wake of renewed attacks by Boko Haram terrorists.

General Olonisakin read the riot to the service chiefs today when the military top brass met in Borno State to review their counter-terrorism tactics.

The meeting which lasted for more than five hours was held on the orders of the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who gave a directive that the service chief should return to the theatre of war and restrategise against the insurgents.

After the meeting, the Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche briefed reporters that the CDS read a riot act to the chief of army staff and the chief of air staff on the reviewed strategic direction and operational plans in line with presidential directives.

Also at the briefing, which was held in Maiduguri, was the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and senior principal staff officers of the Military Command and Control Center.

It marked the commencement of the command of the Military Command and Control Center in Maiduguri by the service chiefs.

Major General Enenche explained the implication of the Acting President’s directive and called on Nigeria’s to back the military in tackling the insurgents.

According to him the directive that service chiefs relocate to Maiduguri means more operational time will be spent in the theatre of Operation in view of the deteriorating security situation in the area.

He disclosed that there are currently 14 insecurity operations around the country which would also require the attention of the service chiefs.

“They are not only service chiefs to this theatre, they are service chiefs of the armed forces of the whole country so what that translates to is more operational time will be given to the theatre,” he said.

The Director of Defence Information stressed that the earlier ultimatum on the arrest of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau still stands, and expressed confidence that with the cooperation of the public it can be achieved.

“The Defence Headquarters appeals to the general public and people in the areas affected directly by this negative acts of terrorism and criminality to come forward with credible information that will further assist the security agencies to tackle this menace,” he said.