Defence Chief Says December Deadline To End Boko Haram Insurgency Sacrosanct

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, yesterday, vowed that the December deadline to end terrorism is Sacrosanct.

Olonisakin said this when he visited Maiduguri, Borno State, to inspect the ongoing Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency Operations against Boko Haram terrorists.

Speaking to journalists after over two hours of being briefed on the activities of Operation Lafiya Dole in the Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, the CDS declared the war a success so far.

However, he acknowledged that there had been losses on the part of the military, which he noted, was inevitable in war.

He said that the losses and challenges being encountered in the operations would enable the military authorities to plan and restrategize for future operations.

According to Olonisakin, the evidence of the success of the military’s operation was based on the fact that the civil authorities are returning to the liberated areas.

He assured that despite some challenges, the December deadline given by President Muhammadu Buhari to crush Boko Haram was still on course.

“I am in Maiduguri, precisely Operation Lafiya Dole in one of my official duties as the CDS to assess the operation and see what we can improve.

“The operation is well on course and we are doing quite well and the indices are that we are making so much progress in the areas that we are. And of course those areas we have taken over the civil authorities are taking control, so we are really on course. The December deadline is sacrosanct, we are working on it and if there is any development we will let you know.

“Of course in any operations and institutions, you will have challenges and we are addressing those challenges to make sure we mitigate them. We are going to Gajana to assess our position and to be able to know what is happening in that area. This is to also give other directives on what to do,” Olonisakin said.

The CDS was welcomed by the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, who has been in the operational zone in the past one week, alongside other Commanders.