22nd October, 2015
Major General Adeniye Oyebade, the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigeria Army, Kaduna, says there is no hiding place for fleeing members of Boko Haram and cattle rustlers.
Oyebade made the remark during an interactive session with journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday.
According to him, the Nigerian military is winning the war against Boko Haram and other criminal activities like cattle rustling.
“For the Boko Haram, there is no place for them to escape, we are succeeding because we have a good synergy with other security operatives.”
“Over 20,000 cows have been recovered from cattle rustlers with our joint operation and it will continue until we clear the bandits from the forests and criminal activities will be reduced to the barest minimum.”
Oyebade said they were committed to the mandate given to them by President Muhammad Buhari to clear Boko Haram on or before the end of the year.
“We are also committed to the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, that the army must act professionally within the rule of engagement.”
Oyebade urged journalists to be patriotic in their reportage and to always balance their stories.
“The issue of national security is very important and Nigeria Army protects the national interest. All of us have a role to play.
“Report what is right and make sure you get the right information as a professional,” he said.
According to him, the media have a role to play in creating awareness and to support security operatives to enable them to tackle the Boko Haram menace.
The commandant urged the media to promote national issues and stop sectionalising issues.
He also charged members of the public to report any strange movement to nearest security office and promised that they would swing into action immediately.