Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has given troops fighting in the North East region, a December deadline to finish off the remnant of Boko Haram forces in the region.
Buratai in a message to the troops said this month will determine if the remnant of Boko Haram forces in the North East region will be completely wiped out, or the country continue to live in the perpetual cycle of their atrocities.
He stated that, “I hope to be with you sometime this month to motivate and positively influence the ongoing operations. This is with a view to having a colourful end of year and peaceful Yuletide in the North East and indeed Nigeria.”
The army chief hopes to return the troops from the North East’s battlefields to their respective barracks in 2017.
He asked military commanders to begin what he called the final aggressive action to completely sweep the battlefield in the North East region of Boko Haram forces by planning and embarking on effective patrol raids, ambushes and deliberate attacks.
The Army chief said “captured and surrendered Boko Haram terrorists” must be treated humanely and fairly and in strict accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Laws of Armed Conflict.
Operation Lafiya Dole has successfully pushed back Boko Haram terrorists, taking much of the territories formerly held by the insurgents. However, Boko Haram still operates in some villages, especially in Northern Borno.
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