Nigerian Army chief, Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Monday warned foreign countries, agencies and mercenaries against meddling into the country’s national security isaues, especially the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).
“All local and foreign interests are advised to exhibit more commitment and restraint on issues of our 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,” Buratai said in an army statement.
The army chief described as “the kicks of a dying horse” recent attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP saying that the military was prepared to route out the terrorists and their collaborators.
“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,” Buratai said.
Although the Army did not give the names of the agencies, it advised both local and foreign interests to tailor their actions and utterances towards supporting the national cause with a view to restoring peace and tranquillity in the country.
The army assured that the counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast and other parts of the country are still on course, local media reported.
The statement signed by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, “reassured Nigerians that the Counter Insurgency operations in the North East and indeed other ongoing operations against our common enemies across the country are still on course with current indicators revealing tremendous successes across the various theatres of operation.”
The army authorities commended troops at the war front for their renewed zeal in counter-insurgency operations and cross-border terrorism by Boko Haram, ISWAP and other elements.
“After a careful review of the Nigerian Army operations in the North East, it is pertinent to state that Headquarters Nigerian Army has gladly observed the renewed zeal and determination by troops to take the counter-insurgency operations to its logical conclusion with outcomes favourable to Nigeria and Nigerians as evident in the recent decimation of many Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminals, including some of their top commanders amidst several arrests of the insurgents’ logistic suppliers and collaborators, numerous capture of the criminals’ arms and ammunition as well as rescue of many captives from the bondage of the insurgents,” Buratai stated.
The army chief assured troops that their sacrifices and that of m fallen colleagues will never be in vain reiterating the unreserved commitment of the Nigerian Army to defend the country.
He 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 door steps. All well-meaning Nigerians especially those in the North East and friends of Nigeria elsewhere are enjoined to fully support the counter insurgency operations as well as the fight against all forms of criminality across the nation”.
The Nigerian army recently clamped down on aid agencies working in the northeast of the country, accusing them of being used as tools for financing terrorist activities.
