Following terrorist attacks in parts of the North-east, especially the ones at the College of Agriculture, Gujba and Benisheikh that left scores dead, and questions about the determination of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army to checkmate them, the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, at the weekend, summoned all the General Officers Commanding the Divisions of the Nigerian Army and Corps Commanders to an emergency meeting described by sources as no holds barred.
Also summoned for the meeting where the Army Chief was said to have warned of dire consequences henceforth if officers were found wanting or negligent in the performance of their duties thereby exposing soldiers and equipment to terrorists were Brigade Commanders and Formation Commanders across the country.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that the decision to summon the GOCs was informed by intelligence reports showing that with the continuing onslaught on the Boko Haram terrorists, elements of the group were massively migrating to other parts of the country.
Confirming the development, Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, said, “As part of routine review of the counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations with a view to ensuring a more agile and robust posture to meet the full spectrum of asymmetric warfare challenges, the Chief of the Army Staff has just concluded a meeting with top military commanders from all major formations of the Nigerian Army”.
“The purpose of the meeting was to reappraise the counter terrorism and counter insurgency efforts in the north east with a view to making future plans.
“It is worthy of note that our operations in the North-east have continued to disrupt terrorists activities thereby denying them freedom of action”.
By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja
