President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday directed Security Chiefs to withdraw the Military from parts of the country where calm has returned.
The directives is coming against the backdrop of increasing attacks on Nigeria communities by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) led Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas , an Admiral, while briefing State House Correspondents after meeting with President Muhammmadu Buhari, described the activities of ISWAP in the North East as “ worrisome “
He disclosed that ISWAP has carried out no fewer than 27 attacks on Nigeria communities in two weeks, many of which were repelled by the Nigeria security agencies.
“You will also recall that just two weeks back we have had over 27 attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast alone.
“Our gallant troops out there were able to repelled these attacks and even take out some of their commanders.
“So, it is a thing of concern but the armed forces of Nigeria are doing all in their powers to ensure that together with other regional partners, that the menace of ISWAP is contained.
Ibas however assured that the withdrawal will be in phases and based on “results of assessment of current operations going on in various parts of the country “
“We had a security council meeting with Mr. President where we appraised the year 2019 generally with emphasis on ongoing operations both within as well as the regional operations ongoing.
The nation’s armed forces are currently involved in various operations across the country, including the northeast, northwest, north central, the southeast as well as the southwest
He disclosed that “Threats assessment will be carried out to determine areas that are capable of being manned by the police and the civil defense that is the position that was reached”
Speaking further on the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ibok stated that Nigeria borders with her neighbors had come under heavy attacks, adding that “We have in recent past had attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and other countries in West
Africa. Of course the genesis of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is well known for all of us here.
“While it is painful to lose people and from within, I think the military is doing all within its power to ensure that we overcome the menace and the threats posed by ISWAP”
He disclosed that Nigeria is eager to have the insurgency and terrorism issues resolved once and for all to enable us focus on matters of development.
“At this point I think you as partners will also need to do that much to encourage our armed forces and other security agencies to ensure that what we have coming out from you, supports the efforts of the military while you are doing your legitimate work. It is our hope that we will get done with this insurgency and terrorism that has besieged our country.”
The Naval Chief noted that the areas where the military have been able to achieve desired objectives, will now be handed over to the civil authority “to take back those responsibilities as the military draws back its forces from those areas to enable it focus its attention on other emerging threats and areas of concern”
He listed the maritime sector as areas where the security agencies have done a lot “ to ensure that our resources are protected”
According to him, “ The outcomes of the operations there have seen to the arrest of about six vessels that were involved in stealing of the nation’s maritime resources.
“Mr. President has directed that the council and the members of armed forces ensure a peaceful society in 2020, to that effect, we are more than determined to continue from where we stopped in 2019 and to ensure that we sustain our various operations to ensure a secured Nigeria for all of us.” he said.
President Buhari had in 2018 granted approval for the recruitment of 10,000 Policemen as part of efforts to strengthen internal security
“As long as Nigeria is not engaged in war outside, it means whatever internal crisis that we have the responsibility rest with the police.
“In the circumstances that the military has to come in to stabilize the situation, it is only proper that once one area has been dominated by the military and the situation has returned to normal that the Nigerian police takes over the responsibility
“You are aware that Nigeria is such a big country that we cannot tie down the military even in those areas that the deliverables have been achieved and the objectives achieved.
“Let me make it very clear that an assessment of what the military will do will be based on the situation on ground. It is not expected that the military will withdraw when it is apparent that there is still some threats in such locations.
“I’m sure we are also aware that the nation is procuring equipment for the military. It is is expected that before the second quarter of next year most of these equipment shall be in place.
“It therefore means that all our hands are put on ground looking at the technology backed surveillance that will enable the military react more efficiently and effectively.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
