The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has observed that Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) have resorted to kidnapping for ransom and robbing citizens to sustain their illicit activities.
Lagbaja made these remarks while addressing the security situation in Maiduguri, Borno State. He highlighted this discovery as a new tactic employed by terrorist organizations in the country.
In a statement released on Friday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the COAS pledged to provide combat resources to support ongoing operations in the region.
It partly read, “The COAS lauded the troops for the operational successes so far achieved. He observed that new trends have been noticed in the activities of the terrorists, adding that they are now reverting to abduction for ransom, pillaging for logistics, and attacking civilians with Improvised Explosive Devices.
“He assured that Combat enablers will be provided to support ongoing operations to further ensure more pronounced stability in the region. We will continue to bring you updates as the COAS continues his operational tour of the North East Theatre of Operations.”
Onyema said the Army Chief would also be assessing the operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in a bid to ensure peace return to the state.
The COAS has arrived at the capital of Borno state on an operational tour to assess the security situation and reinvigorate ongoing Counter terrorism counter-insurgency operations being conducted by troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Theatre of Operations.
“The Army Chief arrived the theatre Thursday night August 31, 2023, and has been briefed by the Theatre Commander Maj Gen Golden Chibuisi on the current security situation of the North East, ongoing operational activities to clear terrorists from their enclaves in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara mountains as well as the challenges of the outfit,” the statement said.
