By Augustine Osayande
The Nigerian Military on Monday disagree with the position of Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, that the withdrawal of the military was responsible for the attack and abduction of female students from Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi.
Deputy Director Public Relations Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col Onyema Nwachukwu, described the statement credited to Governor Gaidam as unfortunate and far from the truth. “The attention of Headquarters Theatre Command Operations LAFIYA DOLE, has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Gaidam, Executive Governor of Yobe State, currently circulating in the media, in which he reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the military was responsible for the recent suspected Boko Haram terrorists’ attack and abduction of female students from Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi. This allegation is not only unfortunate but also very far from the truth” Nwachukwu said
He explained that Operation Lafiya Dole has been alive to its responsibilities in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents in northeastern Nigeria. Nwachukwu said several Communities and Local Governments that were under siege of the insurgents have been liberated and the insurgents pushed out. “While troops continue to trail and decimate the remnants of the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of the liberated communities and towns fall in the hands of the sister security agencies. The recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from their enclaves in the Sambisa and the Lake Chad Islands are testimonials to the effective operations of troops against the insurgents” Nwachukwu added.
The spokesman of the special operation in the northeastern parts of the country noted that troops regularly conduct long-range patrols, raids and ambushes to canalise and take out fleeing insurgents. He said troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce troops at Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border.
“Given all these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate comment and allegation is been touted against the loyal and dedicated troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
“Contrary to the comments being circulated, troops earlier deployed in Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce troops at Kanama following attacks on troops’ location at the Nigerian – Nigerien border. This was on the premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful and the security of Dapchi town was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police Division located in the town.
“Troops’ redeployment was therefore done in tandem with the exigencies of operation and not as misconstrued. It is thus obligatory, to state that the allegation reportedly attributed to the Governor of Yobe state is misleading and misinforming” Nwachukwu said.
He reiterated the commitment and determination of the troops to carrying out their mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast. “We also implore members of the public to continue to support us with credible information on the whereabouts of the Boko Haram terrorists. We would also like to assure the parents, government and the good people of Yobe State and indeed members of the public that we will not rest on our oars in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other persons held captive by the terrorists” he said.
