Increased attacks by Boko Haram, kicks of a dying horse – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has described the spates of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents which had claimed scores of soldiers and civilians as “the kicks of a dying horse”.

The CAS reassured that the counter-insurgency operations in the North East and other ongoing operations against across the country were achieving ‘tremendous successes’.

The insurgents had blown up the Gamboru Ngala bridge in Borno State on January 5, killing about 30 persons.

A number of soldiers were also said to have been killed a few days ago during an attack on troops by the criminals.

Following these incidents, the European Union parliament in a resolution on January 16 said the progress against the terrorists had stalled, noting that the security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated significantly.

Apparently reacting to the EU resolution, Buratai in a statement on Monday, by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, cautioned all local and foreign interests to exhibit more commitment and restraint on issues of national security and avoid taking sides.

“Furthermore, all actions and utterances must be tailored towards supporting the national cause with a view to restoring peace and tranquillity to our beloved country,” it noted.

The statement read in part, “The recent moribund activity of Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province insurgents is synonymous with the kicks of a dying horse gasping for the last breath.

“The Chief of Army Staff also warned all enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians who take delight in the sufferings of our innocent citizens that the day of reckoning is at their doorsteps.”

The CAS said a review of the ongoing operations in the North East indicated a renewed zeal and determination by troops to take the counter-insurgency operations to its logical conclusion with favourable outcomes.

He highlighted the decimation of many Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals, including some of their top commanders and arrests of the insurgents’ logistics suppliers and collaborators, the capture of arms and ammunition as well as the rescue of captives from the insurgents.

Buratai assured the troops that their sacrifices and that of their fallen colleagues would not be in vain.