Borno attacks: Service chiefs review strategies as soldiers recapture base

Soldiers of the Nigerian military attached to Operation Hadin Kai recaptured their Forward Operation Base situated in Ngoshe town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday. It was gathered that the operation that led to the recapture of the military base was conducted in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force […]

Soldiers of the Nigerian military attached to Operation Hadin Kai recaptured their Forward Operation Base situated in Ngoshe town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the operation that led to the recapture of the military base was conducted in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), local vigilante and hunters groups.

Daily Trust reports that the exploits came after the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), summoned all the service chiefs to his office for a crucial meeting over recent attacks on different military bases in the Northeast.

Those who attended the strategic meeting, which was held at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, Abuja, included the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.

Others include the Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, an Air Marshal; Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abass, a Vice Admiral; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, representatives of National Intelligence Agency, among others.

Before Wednesday’s meeting, three commanding officers who were on the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel were killed by terrorists in Borno in the last three weeks when their bases were overrun.

Apart from commanding officers who were killed, many soldiers also paid the supreme price, while hundreds of civilians were abducted.

Speaking before the meeting entered a closed-door, the defence minister said they had agreed to review the strategies on how to deal with the terrorists more.

“We know we have suffered some casualties, but I can tell you the terrorists and bandits are taking more. We are taking out more of their commanders and destroying their assets, and we will continue to do that,” the retired four-star general said.

The defence minister insisted that the Armed Forces and other security agencies remain firmly on top of the country’s security situation.

He said, “The strategic meeting was convened to assess the current security situation and strengthen ongoing efforts to defeat terrorists and other criminal elements threatening national security.

“We had a quick meeting with members of the services to review our strategy in all our theatres within the country.

“We are aware of the issues on the ground, but I want to assure Nigerians that members of the Armed Forces are working tirelessly to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure.”

‘How troops liberated Ngoshe base’

Giving an update on Wednesday, a security source confided in one of our correspondents that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) went to Pulka and mobilised over 200 troops into the deserted Ngoshe, where he assessed the situation and left.

“The brigade commander of Gwoza met us in Pulka and assured support. Today, (Wednesday), we were able to recapture Ngoshe after engaging the remaining insurgents in a gun battle,” he said.

He said the town is fully under the control of the military.