Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theater Commander for Operation Hadin Kai, has provided an explanation for the challenges the Nigerian military is facing in combating and defeating the terrorists known as Boko Haram/Islamic States West African Province, or ISWAP. Nigeria: Fashion in Nigeria
Speaking to Defense Correspondents, Abubakar explained that this was because the rebels are fighting against Nigeria rather than the military. He informed the reporters on the media tour visiting the Maiduguri theater of operations that the struggle against insurgency was an asymmetrical conflict that was challenging to defeat.
As a result, he urged the media to portray terrorism as a national struggle.
According to the theater commander, soldiers have persisted in making sacrifices to guarantee the stabilization of areas impacted by Boko Haram/ISWAP operations.
He claimed that in order to conduct military operations, the military had also made sure that human rights were respected in every line of operation.
“During these severe weather conditions, which may quickly turn extremely cold at night, we have our troops out in the field, dispersed across many places.
“There are heroes, and I promise you that we will do them a favor by showing them appreciation on occasion. The media is the only vehicle to accomplish that.
These people are also from Nigeria, and the military is not being attacked by terrorists. Nigeria is being targeted by terrorists. Nigeria: Fashion in Nigeria
“So we will be able to make a very tangible progress once we start to understand this and have a common front,” he stated.
Nigeria is a signatory to international law of armed conflict, according to Brig.-Gen. Adamu Ibrahim, Chief of Staff, Operation Hadin Kai, who explained why female terrorists were not being murdered or prosecuted.
According to Ibrahim, the law specifically protects women, children, and warriors who are no longer actively involved in the conflict.
He asserts that members of Boko Haram are Nigerian nationals and are therefore entitled to spouses and children.
They are not Boko Haram fighters as long as their spouse and kids do not disarm themselves and participate in direct warfare.
“We would not violate the laws against Boko Haram by engaging their families, as the Nigerian military fully enforces and upholds human rights laws,” he stated.
Maj. Ademola Owolana, who provided an outline of OPHK’s operations, stated that the Joint Tax Force Northeast operation was planned to successfully limit the insurgents’ activities over the entire region. According to Owolana, a multitude of variables, including terrorist drone attacks, fifth columnist activity, and IED planting, are impeding the operations.
He claimed that with multiple victories to date, the military have demonstrated their resilience in combating the terrorists throughout the theater of operations.
He also claimed that in the most recent attack on Kukawa, his own troops, assisted by air components, routed the enemy assault, eliminating 28 terrorists and taking out two motorcycles.
In addition, terrorists have persisted in targeting remote areas in an effort to obtain high-value targets, fighter equipment, logistics, and close-ledger. Nigeria: Fashion in Nigeria
“This threat profile indicates that JAS and ISWAP leaders are desperate to reevaluate themselves, show strength, recruit more fighters, and gather logistics interpolation for future offensive across the theater,” he added.
(NAN)
