The military has explained the rationale behind the redeployment of troops from Dapchi, a town in Yobe State where the Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) is situated.
At least 110 students have yet to be accounted for after suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded the school on Monday last week.
Following the invasion, the state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the military personnel was responsible for the attack.
The Deputy Director of Public Relations, Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Onyema Nwachukwu, however, faulted the allegation as “unfortunate” and “very far from the truth”.
According to him, soldiers earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce troops at Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border.
Colonel Nwachukwu noted that the redeployment was on the premise that the town had been relatively calm and peaceful while the security of Dapchi was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.
He stressed that the troops’ redeployment was also done in tandem with the demands of operation and not as misconstrued.
Responding to the governor’s allegation, the Theatre Command spokesman said though they would not attempt to join in any blame game, it was very expedient to set the record straight for the benefit of posterity.
He, however, reel out the achievements recorded so far by the military in the fight against the insurgency in the North East.
He said: “In carrying out its mandate to counter terrorism and insurgency in north eastern Nigeria, Operation Lafiya Dole has been alive to its responsibilities vis a vis the fight against Boko Haram insurgents. Several communities and local governments that were hitherto under siege of the insurgents have been liberated and the insurgents pushed out.
“While troops continue to trail and decimate the remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of the liberated communities and towns falls in the hands of the sister security agencies. The recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa and the Lake Chad Islands are testimonials to the effective operations of troops against the insurgents. Additionally, troops are regularly conducting long range patrols, raids and ambushes to canalise and take out fleeing insurgents.”
“Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate comment and allegation is been touted against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya Dole,” Colonel Nwachukwu decried.
He stated further that military remained committed and determine to carry out its mandate and rid Nigeria, especially the north-east region of the terrorists.
The Theatre Command spokesman also urged members of the public to continue to support the military with credible information on the whereabouts of the insurgents, saying they would not rest on their oars in the search and rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and other persons held captive by the outlawed group.
