Insurgency: Borno Elders Sabotaging Our Efforts – Army

Buratai, Chief of Army Staff, sitting (Image source: PREMIUM TIMES-NAN)

The Nigerian Army yesterday alerted the nation that some elders and leaders of Borno state and other States of the North East are working against the resolve by the military and other security agencies to ensure they bring the terrorists activities of Boko Haram group to an end by December this year in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

These persons including top politicians are said to have gone to the extent of employing the services of Marabouts and other unethical means to reverse the gains made so far in the war against insurgency. Consequently, the Army warned that such elders, whose sinister machinations security agencies were aware of, risk arrest and will be dealt with in accordance with the law if caught.

Vanguard report continues:

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said, “the Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hail from Borno State in particular and North East generally, that there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country.

“The unscrupulous individuals and their cohorts are determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within 3 months.

“They are enlisting the services of some Non-Governmental Organizations in this grand design. “It has come to our knowledge that they are employing all means to see that our operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits.

“It has been revealed that  they are employing the services of  marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to campaigns of calumny. “We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims and this will not be tolerated.

“Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found will be dealt with accordingly. “People should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition.”