By Chimezie Godfrey
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja has revealed that the recent changes in the leadership and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will help tackle insecurity more effectively in the country.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Abuja by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche while briefing the Defence correspondents on the Armed Forces of Nigeria operations from 21 January to 11 February 2021.
The General revealed that the new service chiefs have commenced action at all levels and have made drastic changes which include strategic administrative, operational and logistic adjustments aimed at improving the security situation in the country.
Enenche said,”You are all aware of the recent changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. There is no doubt the changes would usher in new modus operandi for tackling the security challenges in the Country.
“The Service Chiefs on assumption, immediately hit the ground running by conducting an operational visit to the North East. They have also visited some operational areas in the Country to interact with troops and commanders in the field in the various theatres.
“It is aimed at ensuring that the military high command comes up with new ways and means of tackling the security challenges.
“In line with the reorganization of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the appointment of new service chiefs, the operations of the Armed Forces is equally being reorganized to tackle the security challenges in the country effectively.
“In this regard, the service chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff Major General LEO Irabor (GSS) commenced action at all levels. These include carrying out strategic, administrative, operational and logistics adjustments, changes and reviews, to improve the security situation in the Country.
“As such, all stakeholders are requested to give maximum support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff.”
Enenche stressed that troops of Operations Hadarin Daji have continued to sustain their efforts in the North-West Zone of the Country progressively.
According to him, the gallant troops within the period in focus carried out several land and air operations in the Zone. These include clearance and ambush operations as well as aggressive ground and aerial patrols in order to ensure security of lives and property within the Zone.
He disclosed that in the North East Zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria working together with other security agencies have continued to sustain the onslaught against the insurgents.
He explained that within the period under review, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole on various occasions made contact and engaged some Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province criminal elements.
According to him, the various encounters, more terrorists’ enclaves have been destroyed along with their logistics facilities and scores of their fighters neutralized through ground and air strikes at different locations in the North East Zone.
Enenche also disclosed that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies operating in the North Central Zone of the country are also sustaining the fight against armed banditry and other criminal vices in the Zone with remarkable results.
“Several combined land and air operations were conducted within the period, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of armed bandits and recovery of caches of arms and ammunition.
“As the land troops maintain aggressive fighting patrols to dominate the theatre of operation, the air component dominated the airspace with air reconnaissance activities,”he said.
Enenche further revealed that in the South-South Zone, troops of Operation Delta Safe have continued to protect and safeguard the coastal and territorial waters through intensive sea and creek patrols.
“Troops conducted anti-crude oil theft and anti-illegal bunkering operations as well as other anti-illegal maritime activities, and in the process, deactivated several illegal refining sites within the period in focus.
“In the course of the operations, large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined AGO as well as some equipment were recovered,” he added.
The General also disclosed that in the South West Zone, troops have sustained their efforts in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft as well as other economic saboteurs through raids and arrests within the period.
He stressed that several of these pipeline vandals and smugglers were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting authorities for necessary action, adding that several bags of foreign parboiled rice and illegally smuggled items and vessels were also seized.
Enenche urged Nigerians to support the efforts of the Armed Forces in tackling security challenges confronting in the nation.
“Our collective efforts are essential in the fight against the various security vices in the country.
“The Military High Command reassures the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the Country.
“Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action,” he appealed.
