Chairman of Senate Committee on Army, Senator Muhammed Ali Ndume, has given insight tinto the death of Brigadier General Dzarma Zirkusu and the three soldiers, saying the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists rammed a bomb-laddened car into his official vehicle during an ambush along Chibok road, Northeast Nigeria.
Explaining that General Zirkusu was “the major obstacle” to terrorists’ operation in the area, Senator Ndume, noted that the ramming of the bomb-laddened car was carried out by Libyan mercenaries believed to have joined forces with ISWAP terrorists in Northeast Nigeria.
Late General Zirkusu, was the Commander, 28 Task Force of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) based in Chibok.
Senator Ndume, who represents Borno South, spoke on the deadly attack in Abuja, stating that the incident has caused panic among residents in the area.
He expressed his condolences and described the incident as painful, lamenting that residents are fleeing Askira as ISWAP terrorists are believed to be regrouping in Lake Chad region.
The attack came 24 hours after military airstrikes took out several top Commanders of ISWAP while they were allegedly holding a strategic meeting with their new leader, Sani Shuwaram, at Sabon Tumbun and Jibularam, in Marte Local Government Area of the State.
According to Senator Ndume, “I want to express my condolences to the Nigerian Army over the death of the General who died along Chibok road. ISWAP terrorists attacked a town there. They know that the General was the major obstacle to their operation. They laid an ambush and rammed a bomb-laddened car into his vehicle.
“He was a gallant soldier. He took the fight to the terrorists. His death has sent a panic to people in that area. I am aware that some people around that Chibok area have started thinking of relocating. Related Posts
“Some want to go to Mubi and other places. We are trying to urge them to remain there. The insurgency is coming to an end.”
He was positive that the Nigerian Army has the capability to defeat ISWAP and their Libyan mercenaries.
He urged other security agencies and well-meaning residents in the communities to support the military to gain a decisive victory.
“This is not the end but the beginning of the end of terrorists. I know that the Army has what it takes to take the fight to them. There is need to urge other security agencies to give the Army the needed support. We also need to urge vigilante groups to assist them,” he said.
He described the attack by ISWAP as a revenge mission saying the assailants arrived the area with 10 gun trucks to carry out the attack.
“For now, we will assume that it was an isolated case. But the intensity with which they came is worrisome. They came with more than 10 gun trucks. They are also regrouping around Borno North. That’s Lake Chad axis. The Military is aware and the Air Force is providing surveillance in the area.
“It was a revenge mission. The Army has been taking out key ISWAP commanders and they had their revenge. Last week for instance, they abducted relatives of the Emir of Askira. They also abducted some passengers along that road. If the Army sustains the tempo, we will win this insurgency.
“The equipment are arriving gradually. We are monitoring. As a committee, we will go and see what they have brought into the country. This is an improvement. The Army is very rapid in responding. The Army is involved in about 33 States now. They’re under pressure,” Ndume said.