By Musdapha Ilo, Maiduguri
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Babagana Munguno, a retired Major General, has promised Nigerians that the Boko Haram insurgency that has killed thousand of Nigerians in the North East would soon end with concerted efforts between the military and the citizens.
The NSA, who spoke in Maiduguri on behalf of the four other service chiefs, Chief of Defence, Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, a General; Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, a Lieutenant General; Chief of Air Staff, Sadiq Baba Abubakar, an Air Marshal and the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, said the military was making a final push to defeat the insurgents.
The military chiefs had paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Kashim Shettima, aimed at eliciting his support in the new drive to end the six year old insurgency.
Munguno said the recent change of guard in the military as initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari was a tactical move aimed at ending the insurgency as quickly as possible.
“There was a tendency of replacing the service chiefs with a mandate from the President to end Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed a lot of lives and property in the North East. In less than 24 hours after we were sworn in and decorated by the President, we are here in
Maiduguri, the Borno state capital for the reassessment of military operations and to end insurgency in three months,”he said.
While stating that the President had made the right choice, he however insisted that for the war to be won in the next few months, all hands must be on deck.
He said the military chiefs were in Maiduguri to end the insurgency by first assessing the preparedness and operational capabilities of the troops with the aim of fine-tuning it.
“We are here in Maiduguri to end this insurgency, we are here to assess all the military operational details that will facilitate various aerial and ground troops to put an end to Boko Haram,” he said firmly.
He said the restoration of peace was paramount in the military agenda.
“We are not going to work against your interest of restoring peace and unity in the North east. We are here for all of you affected by this terrorism that has claimed the lives of many of your sons, daughters, parents, guardians, including your traditional and religious leaders sacked from towns and villages for over six years. We want you also to help us with credible information to end this insurgency,” the NSA added.
Mongunu said the era of mutual suspicion between the military and the civilian populace was over as both parties were now willing to work together to solve the bloody crisis.
Governor Shettima, in his reaction, promised that the state and its residents would give the new service chiefs their support.
He lamented the results of the crisis which he said has set the state backwards in terms of development.
The governor, however, expressed hope in the capabilities of the new military helmsmen to eradicate the insurgency.
“We will give you all the support to end this insurgency. With the appointment of the service chiefs, we cannot ask for more, all we need is to give them our support. The Boko Haram cannot survive if we the people of Borno say no enough is enough. If this Boko Haram madness comes to an end, your names would be written in gold in the annals of the history of the country, the country and its citizenry will be proud of you all,” Shettima said.