The Nigeria military has finally complied with the presidential directive for the relocation of the Command and Control Centre in charge of counter-insurgency to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, from Abuja.
This was contained in a statement released by Army spokesperson, Sani Kukasheka Usman, who said the team, which will be led by a major general, has already commenced work and will serve as a “forward command base” for service chiefs.
“A reconnaissance and advance team for the establishment of Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC) for Operation Zaman Lafiya for the fight against terrorism and insurgency has moved to Maiduguri. The team, led by a two-star general, has already commenced work in and it is comprises of elements of the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, all the relevant Army Headquarters Departments and other combat support components.
“From now on, the fight against terrorism and insurgency would be monitored, coordinated and controlled from this centre,” Kukasheka said.
The spokesman further explained that the establishment of the centre does not necessarily mean another level of command structure will be established and that a similar control centre is being put in place in Yola, Admawa State, to add more energy to the fight against terrorism.
As part of measures to effectively deal with Boko Haram insurgency, President Muhammadu Buhari had said during his inauguration that the command centre will have to be moved from Abuja because the war cannot be won from the nation’s capital.