The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, cautioned against unwarranted attacks on Military personnel, saying repeated occurrences are unhealthy for national security, counterproductive, and amounting to self-sabotage.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba handed down the warning while addressing Defence Correspondents in Abuja at the bi-weekly Media briefing on ongoing Military Operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, and other security Agencies in the various theatres of operations in the six geo-political zones of the country against insurgency activities
General Buba who pointed out that the military had demonstrated high sense of discipline and professionalism in the face of the untoward attacks warned that Personnel professionalism in handling such actions must not be mistaken for weakness.
According to him, “the unprovoked killings of 17 personnel in Okuama in Delta, coupled with the recent assault of unarmed personnel in Banex Plaza in Abuja is worrisome and leaves much to be desired.
“These occurrences are unhealthy for our national security, counter-productive, and amount to self-sabotage.
“The military has demonstrated high sense of discipline and professionalism in the face of the untoward attacks. Our professionalism must not be mistaken for weakness.
“Surely, it is no way to treat any human, certainly not military personnel that places themselves in harm’s way to protect citizens or to safeguard the nation.
” Indeed, we know that to win this war, we need the support of people. We also hope that the people would equally realize that, they need the military to win the war to guarantee their safety.
” Accordingly, It goes without saying that this must not repeat itself as it jeopardizes our common interest. If troops err, report them and the military justice system will address the matter. We are at war, and citizens must realize that they also have a responsibility for their actions and utterances to support troops to keep the morale and fighting spirit of troops at optimal at all times.
General Buba however assured that the Military would continue to fight until the terrorists were defeated on the battlefield and help the nation flourish again.
On the Operations of the Troops in the month of May, he said, “Troops are admirably making progress in the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country and will continue until the terrorists are completely decimated.
According to him, ” the progress made is through the cumulative effort of killing the terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants, as well as, taking away their most important assets such as logistics, administrative and fighting capabilities. These all combine to destroy the will to fight the terrorist and their cohorts.
“Troops have continued to receive tremendous institutional support and are receiving increasing popular support in the conduct of operations. Indeed, The level of troops’ stamina and commitment to completely destroying the terrorists remains unwavering.
“During the month of May, the potency of the terrorists was largely degraded with 624 Terrorist neutralized, 1,051 terrorists including their logistic suppliers and informants arrested, while 563 hostages were rescued.
“Additionally, troops recovered troops recovered 707 assorted weapons, and 16,487 assorted ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #700 Mill (N705,836,036.00) only.
“Breakdown for the month of May 24 includes and is not limited to the following: 411 AK47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 231 Dane guns, 10,782 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4,310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,623 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 1,023 rounds of 511 rounds of 9mm and 2,100 live cartridges.
“Others are 4,871,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 931,416 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 4,480 litres of PMS amongst other items.”
General Buba pointed out that the joint operational environment coupled with the synergy with other security and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimal performance of troops in the conduct of operations nationwide.
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