The Military High Command yesterday vowed that plots by criminal elements to perpetrate nefarious activities to discredit the government and security agencies would not deter it from sustaining the tempo of operations against banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, among other security challenges.
This came on a day Defence headquarters explained that the renaming of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East from ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ to ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ was to reflect the renewed spirit of collaboration in the North East operational environment.
Consequently, DHQ reiterated that the combined efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies was a demonstration of the commitment, synergy and determination to lay down lives of personnel to protect the country.
It also noted that to ensure the Military High Command came out with improved ways of tackling the myriad of security challenges across the country, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and service chiefs had visited the six geo-political zones and consulted government officials, traditional and religious leaders and interest groups for the purpose of sensitization on the current security challenges facing the country.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, who disclosed this, while giving an update on military operations across the country, said: “We will continue to sustain the offensive posture and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to protect our economic assets anywhere.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and service chiefs have conducted several operational visits to the various theatres of operation.
“They have been interacting with commanders, troops and other stakeholders in various theatres. Also, a Security Summit was held in March 2021 at the National Defence College with relevant stakeholders in attendance.
“The Summit was aimed at promoting understanding and collaboration of stakeholders and key players on the kinetic approach that is expected to facilitate public support for kinetic action in Counter Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency, CTCOIN, operations in Nigeria.
“As you are aware, some topical security issues were enumerated and discussed extensively during the interaction with the CDS and service chiefs.‘‘
“Sequel to that, we are now resuming our usual updates on the unrelenting and committed efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in tackling security challenges facing our dear nation.
“These operational efforts of the Nigerian military are intended to achieve sustainable peace and to ensure normalcy returns to all troubled zones of our dear country.
“Within the period in focus (May 1 to May 20), troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained resolute in their operations and engaged in series of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in all theatres of major and subsidiary operations.
“We also worked cooperatively and in great synergy with other security and intelligence agencies to gain several successful and credible outcomes in our operations.‘‘
“For land operations, our gallant troops have been actively engaged in constant clearance patrols, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments.
“In the maritime environment, troops conducted various operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal oil bunkering, anti-crude oil theft, anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling operations.
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