The Nigerian Army and the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State logger heads over a new method being employed by the Army in fighting insurgency in the north.

The Army yesterday said it had deployed new strategies to counter resurgence of Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks in some communities in Borno.

Maj.-Gen.

Olusegun Adeniyi, the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, made this known when he led a team of journalists on a visit to Magumeri, Gubio and Benisheik, headquarters of Magumeri, Gubio and Kaga Local Government Areas of the state.

He stated this while addressing the troops at the 5^th Brigade Battalion in Gubio community, during a visit.            

He dismissed as “misleading’’ reports indicating that the army had withdrawn its personnel from the affected areas which exposed the communities to insurgents’ attacks in recent weeks.

Adeniyi frowned at social media reports on troops’ withdrawal, noting that such misinformation created fear in the society and aided the insurgents’ atrocities.

The commander explained that the army, as part of its new strategy, set up “Super Camp”, shifted trenches and mobilized troops on mobile patrols to counter insurgency as well as protect lives and property in the theatre of operation.

“Nigerians need to understand that the army did not withdraw from Magumeri, Gubio and other locations in Borno and the northeast, as erroneously insinuated.

“The troops are now on mobility operation instead of staying in trenches in one location; the mobile troops would be moving to take the fight to the insurgents, protect roads and communities so that people can go about their normal life without fear.

“The new measure will enable the troops to dominate everywhere; deny the insurgents freedom of movement, enhance rapid response and render assistance to their colleagues when called upon in good time.

“It is true that the insurgents attacked Magumeri and Gubio; there were no loss of lives on troops and civilians, unfortunately a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) was killed and six other persons sustained injuries, either from stray bullets, or while trying to escape.

 “The insurgents torched some targeted residential homes and public buildings in response to the owners’ allegiance to the government and the nation.

“Markets stores are stock with food items and other essential commodities but they were not looted or destroy by the insurgents.

“Gubio and Maguemri are under full military control, the troops repelled the insurgents’ incursion in the communities and people resumed their normal lives. We will continue to protect and provide necessary security to the people,” Adeniyi said.

He said the army had deployed additional patrol vehicles and equipment to facilitate smooth execution of the war against the insurgents.

While calling on the communities to remain calm and cooperate with the troops, Adeniyi pledged sustain military presence in the areas, just as he called on the troops to be disciplined and dedicated, to ensure total defeat of the insurgents.

However, in faulting the strategy, Governor Zulum said the new strategy could put some communities that would not be where the super camps are located in great danger. Fielding questions on why it was easy for the militants to operate especially as it was reported that the terrorists struck at about 6am without any resistance by the security apparatus, he fingered the new policy as a possible reason.

He said: “Well, the most important thing is that there is ongoing military strategy, according to the military authorities, what they called establishment of super camps. “That entails that all other smaller units in various villages and towns shall be collapsed to form part of the super camps in some critical major local government areas.

“In our thinking as laymen not as military personnel, we thought this decision is not wise. We must ensure there is military presence in all the locations. We are very much aware of their numerical strength but nonetheless, their absence can create serious vacuum and that has informed the recent attacks.

 “However, I heard that the military is now trying to re-establish the military formations in those areas and that they should not form part of the super camps.”

Also commenting on the formation of Civilian Joint Task Force, he said, “Honestly speaking, the civilian JTF are working but the most important thing is that they don’t have the heavy weapons that they can use to conveniently face the terrorists.

“So the absence of the Nigerian military in a particular place will create a vacuum in such a way that the civilian JTF and hunters cannot perform effectively. “I have told Mr. President and he has listened to our complaints, he has done a lot for the people of Borno State and it is our sincere hope that this time around, he will take necessary steps to forestall future occurrence.

 “During our first economic council meeting, the president did mention that the governors should go back to their home and discuss with their traditional rulers and look into the possibility of resolving issues at their own levels. That entails empowering the traditional rulers, the civilian JTF and hunters and ensuring that dialogues are being held between the traditional rulers and repentant Boko Haram. “I hope by doing so we can succeed.

There is a renewed effort in this direction and very soon I will be having a meeting with the operation safe corridor team to ensure that this is put in place.” He explained that he was at the State House to see the President with respect to the recent happenings especially the attacks in Gubio and Magumeri local government areas in northern Borno and other localities in the state,” he said.