Boko Haram Has Killed 3,000 So Far, Destroying Northern Economy - Ihejirika

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, yesterday, disclosed that the activities of the Boko Haram sect have so far claimed 3000 lives.

He lamented that the activities of the sect had  also taken economic and psychological tolls on the people and businesses in the northern part of the country.

Ihejirika said these in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital while declaring open the third inter-division and headquarters map reading competition organised by the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC).

Represented by the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mohammed Abubakar, the Army boss noted that the current security challenges in the country required collective and extra efforts to tackle and added, “the changing nature of threats to Nigeria’s national security environment has manifested in  militancy, kidnapping, violent extremism and terrorism. It is a known fact that terrorism worldwide is characterised by extremism, violence, hatred, lack of respect for human dignity and constituted authority.

 “The spate of bombings in parts of the north has necessitated the Nigerian Army to review its doctrine with a view to updating our training and operational procedures in order to fulfill our constitutional mandate. Success in this pursuit, therefore calls for renewed and concerted efforts and initiative.

 “I therefore urge all of us to remain resilient to be able to overcome the miscreants and terrorist attacks on our psyche and our beloved country through conscientious effort to make good progress. It is in this line, that I commend the determination of NAEC to write and publish a book on ‘terrorism.’

 “This will no doubt positively contribute to our determination to fight the present security challenges. The book will also serve as a reference material for researchers on Nigerian Army viewpoint and strategy against domestic terrorism.”

Earlier, the Corps Commander, NAEC, Major-General Lucky Banjiram said that the current security challenges in the country had continued to undermine national security.

Source: Leadership