Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has warned of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists regrouping in the Lake Chad axis.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army made the assertion on Sunday, November 14, in response to ISWAP fighters’ raids on Askira in Borno on Saturday.
Ndume, who expressed his condolences to the Nigerian Army and praised Brig-Gen. Zirkusu as a valiant soldier who took the battle to the terrorists, added that the severity of the onslaught on Askira is concerning because forces had taken out important ISWAP commanders in Borno.
The lawmaker urged other security agencies to give the Nigerian Army the needed support. He also also urged residents around the Chibok area to be calm and not relocate, as the Nigerian Army has what it takes to take the fight to the insurgents.
He said;
“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 panic to people in that area.
“I am aware that some people around that Chibok area have started thinking of relocating.
“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.
“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 a need to urge other security agencies to give the Army the needed support. We also need to urge vigilante groups to assist them.
“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 the 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 temple, we will win this insurgency.
“The equipment are arriving gradually. We are monitoring. As a committee, we will go and see what had been 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.”
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