Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for pursuit of “aggressive collaboration” with armed forces in neighboring countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic in order to defeat the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the Northeast region of the country.
Governor Zulum told the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs, who made their maiden operational visit to the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, that there should also be enhanced ties between the military and civilian population to bridge trust deficit and increase military’s access to credible intelligence gathering.
He emphasized that credible intelligence gathering was key to success in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism.
On Sunday, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor, arrived the headquarters of Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri along with Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao.
The military leaders, who were appointed last Tuesday, were in Maiduguri to brainstorm on how to re-strategise approaches that will defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorism and restore peace in the region.
The CDS and Service Chiefs met with Borno Governor as part of its consultations with stakeholders.
The Governor assured the military chiefs of his administration’s commitment and support to the armed forces by way of supplementing their efforts in the ongoing war.
Zulum also urged the Service Chiefs to tolerate fair and constructive criticisms that might be made in good faith to enhance their productivity.
According to the Governor, “in democratic settings, the military is an establishment which is subject to constructive criticisms by well meaning citizens. Therefore, you are expected to accept such criticisms in good faith with a view to enhancing the productivity in your operations.”
Governor Zulum noted that, for the Nigerian military to achieve success, there should be robust coordination and collaboration between different security operatives, particularly between the Nigerian Army and Air Force.
The Governor also called on the military to ensure a continued and sustained operations to deny insurgents breathing space by blocking all routes to avoid terrorist moving from one region to another.
Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor assured that military operations will receive a boost in order to nip out terrorists’ activities completely.
General Irabor however craved the understanding of the civilian population in the fight against terrorism.