Soldiers have begun to move their families out of the two major barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Soldiers, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH, said the decision to move their families out of Giwa and Maimalari military barracks was part of the preparation for a fierce battle against the Boko Haram insurgents. They said they were directed by their commanders to move their children and wives out of the barracks...
It was gathered that the action of the soldiers had heightened fears among residents of Maiduguri, who saw the families being moved out of the city. One of our correspondents sighted one of the soldiers on Lagos Island on Thursday with his family members in a blue gulf car. The soldier, who was accused of overloading his vehicle by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, pleaded for help as he explained that he was coming from Maiduguri, adding that he moved his family to Lagos for safety. Another soldier, who resides in the Giwa Barracks, spoke to one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity. He said he had already moved his wife and children to Edo State following the directive by their commanders. “We are moving our wives and children out because they should not be there if a battle begins. I have taken mine out of the city,” the soldier said The soldiers confided in our correspondents that the situation was tense. Boko Haram had captured Bama, the second largest city in Borno State early this week. It had two weeks ago seized Gwoza, where it occupied a police academy. There is a report that the Boko Haram sect, which seems to have been emboldened by its success in Gwoza and Bama, plans to attack Maiduguri. Another soldier, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH, said, “Yes, many of the soldiers have moved their families out of the barracks; many are still moving theirs; there are also others who have not.
“I think they are responding to an intelligence report that the Boko Haram are targeting the major military formations in Maiduguri. “So the commanders told them to move their families so that there would be no distraction to the soldiers if there is a battle.” A retired military Warrant Officer lost three of his children during the attack on the Maimalari Barracks by the insurgents in December 2013. One of our correspondents made repeated efforts to get the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade, to comment on the latest development without success as the calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect. Also, Olukolade had not responded to a text message on the issue as of time of filing this report. In the SMS, he was asked to comment on the soldiers’ evacuation of their families from Maiduguri.
But the defence headquarters in a statement on Friday allayed fears over the Boko Haram’s attacks in Borno State.The statement by Olukolade was, however, silent on the soldiers’ evacuation of their families from barracks in Maiduguri.The statement, which was the first by defence headquarters since Boko Haram began fresh attacks in Borno State, said the reputation of the military and Nigeria was at stake.
The military reiterated the pledge it made on Thursday while briefing the Joint Committee on Defence of the National Assembly.It stated, “Everything will be done to reverse the situation and defeat the rampaging terrorists.”It welcomed the concern by Nigerians and a section of the international community following the increased menace and activities of terrorists.“It is necessary to reassure all that the Nigerian Armed Forces is more than ever determined and committed to the defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, regardless of any odd.”“It is not only the pride and reputation of the military that is at stake but that of the entire nation.” It, therefore, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and support the military as all steps were being taken to ensure the success of the counter-insurgency operations.The defence headquarters stated, “With this in mind, it is important to reiterate that the Nigerian military is fully conscious of its obligations to the Nigerian state and remains willing and ready to perform its duties with utmost diligence.
“Therefore, what the military requires at this critical period in the nation’s history is not pillories but continued support from all stakeholders and comity of nations.”“Indeed, this is not the time to despair or shift blames. Rather it calls for concerted effort by all and sundry to stop the agents of darkness who seek to destroy our country and civilisation.“On its part, the Nigerian military as a fighting force, assures Nigerians once again that this battle will be won.”
The United States Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, had on Thursday lamented that Boko Haram was operating freely in the North-East.She said that the sect had shown that it also had the capacity to strike in Kano, Abuja and elsewhere.Thomas-Greenfield, at a meeting with the Federal Government officials on Thursday, added that Washington was troubled by the “apparent capture of Bama” in Borno State by Boko Haram. She said the US was preparing to launch a “major” border security programme to help Nigeria and its neighbours combat the increasing number and scope of attacks by the insurgents. But she was quick to remind the Nigerian authorities that “we are past time for denial and pride.”
She said, “Since we last met in August 2013, the frequency and scope of Boko Haram’s terror attacks have grown more acute and constitute a serious threat to this country’s overall security.“Boko Haram has shown that it can operate not only in the North-East, but in Kano, in Abuja, and elsewhere. We are very troubled by the apparent capture of Bama and the prospects for an attack on and in Maiduguri, which would impose a tremendous toll on the civilian population.“This is a sober reality check for all of us. We are past time for denial and pride.”
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