NIGERIA TO LEAD REGIONAL FORCE AGAINST BOKO HARAM

There is a strong indication that Nigeria may head a multinational strike force to be set up soon by the country and its neighbouring Republics of Benin, Chad, Niger and Cameroun, to effectively tackle the outlawed Boko Haram sect and other forms of insurgency in the sub-region.
Already, the collaborating countries have started contributing a contingent of between 700 to 1000 soldiers each to operate under a command centre that will commence operation in November and be supervised by a yet to be named Chief of Staff.
Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, who disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, said that the recent meeting of heads of government of West African countries on insecurity agreed that the best way to protect the sub-region from insurgency as well as armed attacks must involve mutual collaboration and coordinated operations by armies of neighbouring countries.
Omeri expressed the hope that the deployment of more troops to the border areas of the respective countries would conclusively deal with the menace of terrorism in the sub-region.
“This laudable effort will operate a command centre led by a Chief of Staff charged with the responsibility of deploying troops to the borders of the respective countries to tackle any threat,” he said.
Omeri, who is also the Coordinator of the National Security Information Centre assured Nigerians that the days of insurgency are numbered adding also that the Federal Government, with the help of neighbouring countries, will soon defeat Boko Haram and restore peace in every part of the north.
Omeri urged individuals and nations rubbishing its efforts to fight insurgency to do a thorough rethink, stressing that “as it is in Nigeria today, it could be the turn of another country tomorrow. Hence, the need for collaboration and cooperation in whatever capacity to crush the insurgency.”
He added that “The safety and security of every Nigerian is the foremost priority of the government and all necessary security measures are being implemented. The government has also not lost focus on the search and rescue of our nationals who are experiencing the trauma of captivity in the hands of Boko Haram.”
Omeri stated that the results of ongoing rigorous military training and newly established intelligence sharing mechanism are obvious as the military has dealt devastating blows on the terrorists who are now in disarray.
“The Nigerian military will continue to make these positive gains against the group with the new aerial equipment which provides wider territorial coverage and increased response capability,” the director general said.
He also disclosed that 82 foreigners from Niger, Chad and Senegal have been sent back to their countries for engaging in nefarious activities that undermine the security of the country.
Omeri commended the renewed support by Nigerians for the military and other security forces in their effort to crush the rebellion in the northeast assuring that the tempo of the counter-insurgency operation will be increased and sustained until the terrorists are defeated.
Source: Daily Newswatch