Insurgency: North East gradually returning to normalcy – Army

By HARRIET TORNGUVAN (Who was in Maiduguri) –

The Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Wahidi Shaibu, has said that the efforts of troops’ operations in Borno, Yobe and some parts of Adamawa states are yielding positive results as relative peace and stability is gradually returning to the states.

General Shaibu stated this  when Defence Correspondents on tour of military operations visited the Headquarters of the Theatre located in Maimalari Barracks, Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital during the week.

“The anti-social activities of the Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad popularly known as Boko Haram in North East Nigeria, particularly in Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa States came under the spotlight in the mid-2000s. The nefarious activities of the sect with the attendant killings and arson escalated after ABUBAKAR SHEKAU assumed leadership of the sect in 2009,” he said.

He said the situation degenerated beyond the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), thereby necessitating the deployment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to restore peace and order in the region.

General Shaibu said the counter terrorism and counterinsurgency efforts of the armed forces in the region have helped defeat the insurgents to a large extent and brought about some significant restoration of peace in the region.

The evidence of the relative peace in Borno State includes the restoration of National Youth Service Corp scheme which was suspended for 12 years due to activities of the insurgents, as well as the fact that the state is once again a conducive environment for the safe conduct of WAEC examinations.

Shaibu further stated that the Theatre has continued to provide worthwhile quick impact projects to communities affected by insurgency, through COAS CIVIC Intervention Projects, the Theatre has undertaken the renovation of a one-storey classroom in Zajiri Secondary School at BAGA Road, MAIDUGURI, It also provided a solar-powered borehole at JIDDARI POLO in MAIDUGURI.

This intervention also includes the renovation of classroom buildings at Lawal Mustapha School at KONDUGA, the construction of solar powered borehole in JAKANA and the distribution of notebooks to public schools across the theatre.

General Shaibu said that economic activities are ongoing in the major cities in the Theatre, as many internally displaced persons have successfully returned to their homes in , Baga, Pulke, Izge, Bama, Banki, Ajiri, Kirawa, Cross Kauwa, Gwoza and Pulka.

Stating that normal life including commercial businesses and night life are gradually coming back to Maiduguri, Major General Shaibu said that Maiduguri/Damaturu road is now free of terrorist attacks. He explained that the Theatre placed a restriction on movement along the road in the early hours to enable troops clear the road before citizens can begin their day.

The Nigerian Army being the lead force in the Theatre, has continued to collaborate and foster synergy with other components for the continued smooth conduct of military operations. The continuous support provided by the Naval and Air Components has contributed tremendously to the successes recorded so far in the Theatre.

Furthermore, he said the effective engagements with the Multinational National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have also been maintained while collaborations with the Borno state government and other relevant stakeholders in the region are being undertaken.

The Theatre commander added that his command has continued to engage domestic and international non-Government Organizations with a view to identifying and addressing humanitarian issues among the civilian populace, in order to keep improving their living standards and their safety. These engagements, said Shaibu, are aimed at ensuring the timely return of normalcy to the North East region.