The Nigerian military has sent an advance team to Maiduguri as it begins the process of complying with President Muhammadu Buhari’s order that the military command centre in the battle against Boko Haram should relocate from Abuja.
Acting Director, Army Public Relations,Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement on Monday that “In compliance with the Presidential pronouncement and the Chief of Army Staff’s directive, a reconnaissance and advance team for the establishment of Military Command and Control Centre (MCCC) for Operation Zaman Lafiya for the fight against terrorism and insurgency has moved to Maiduguri, Borno State.
Usman said further that “The team, which is led by a Two-Star General, has already commenced work in earnest and it is comprised of elements of the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, all the relevant Army Headquarters Departments and other combat support components. The Centre will serve as a forward command base for the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs.
“The Centre is essentially an elaboration of an already existing Army Headquarters Command and Control arrangement. From now on, the fight against terrorism and insurgency would be monitored, coordinated and controlled from this centre.
The Army Spokesman said the establishment of the centre “would not create another layer of command structure but would add impetus and renewed vigour to Operation Zaman Lafiya, all aimed at bringing terrorism and insurgency to an end. An alternate command centre is also being established in Yola.
