6th January, 2016
Femi Adi/Kaduna
The General Officer Commanding I Mechanised Division, Army Headquarters, Kaduna, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade on Wednesday confirmed that army has in the last six months of various operations arrested 21 Boko Haram sect members at various locations within the north west zone.
General Oyebade also disclosed that over 101 bandits were killed in their operations and over 103 various types of weapons where recovered while over 200 camps were destroyed.
Though he disclosed that in the course of the operations the army equally lost 6 soldiers and 10 were critically wounded while several others sustained various degrees of injuries with two others still missing in action.
Oyebade who revealed this to newsmen at the 1 Division Army Headquarters, while briefing on the activities and successes recorded within the north west zone in the last six months, maintained that the Nigerian Army has vowed to deal decisively with any group which under any guise attempt to threaten the peace and security within the zone.
Speaking on the update on the clash between the army and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria also known as the Shi’ite sect, the GOC stressed that the Nigerian Army holds dearly the sanctity of life in securing the territorial integrity of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We make no apologies to any group that threatens the peace and security of the land and will not hesitate to put such group to check.
“Nigerian Army has no issue with the Shi’ite group which is like any other group in the land. But if any group chooses not to obey the law of the land or challenge the authority, it means that that group does not value the sanctity of life and integrity of the land,” he stated.
He however said the clashes between the sect and the army was avoidable, but said the military has issues with those who create state within the state, adding “Our rule of engagement is to address any threat before it becomes a full blown challenge, and any group that chooses to be violent in nature must be dealt with squarely.”
While disclosing that the army considers the assassination attempt on the Chief of Army more of an attempt on the president, he said the sect carried out a wave of attacks and the troops had to defend themselves.
On the whereabouts of the sect leader, the GOC informed that “El-Zakzaky is safe, secure and undergoing sound medical care. Every other detainee has been handed over to the appropriate security agency of government, no detainee is currently with the military.”
General Oyebade called on all groups and Nigerians at large to be law abiding and ensure that law and order is maintained at all times.