By Abdul Kareem
The new chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyode, has stated his commitment to bringing in technology to address the ongoing threat of Boko Haram in the Northeast and the emerging terrorism in the Northwest.
General Oluyode said that the country’s fight against terrorism has persisted for too long, making it imperative to change strategies.
Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State, at the conclusion of his three-day working tour of the Northeast, the army chief emphasized that the military under his command is dedicated to “ending the wars.”
“We know there are challenges, and we have identified them. I was in Sokoto when the issues of Lakurawa arose; we were there and assessed how we could improve the situation. If you look at the past two months, you will notice that progress is being made.”
The COAS stated that his command will reevaluate the situation in Zamfara and the Northwest with an eye toward deploying modern technology to improve conditions.
“In the case of Zamfara and the Northwest in general, we will review the situation, bring in technology, and determine how we can improve things. I will be in the Northwest next week, and we will discuss this further.”
Earlier, the army chief paid courtesy visits to Borno Governor Professor Babagana Zulum and the Shehu of Borno, His Eminence Abubakar Garbai Allamin Elkanemi, where he outlined his core mission and his determination to “end the war,” which he said has lasted too long. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of Borno State for their resilience and continued support for the troops combating the insurgency.
The army chief also met with frontline troops, engaging in one-on-one discussions to gain firsthand insight into their challenges.
A highlight of the COAS’s visit was an extensive security briefing with officers and commanders, which was largely held behind closed doors.
The Humanitarian Times 