By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
Soldiers have been asked to hunt down and
kill all and any Boko Haram in sight.
The Head of the counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast (Operation Lafiya
Dole), Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, addressing troops of 120 Battalion, Goniri,
Yobe State ordered soldiers to hunt for the terrorist and neutralize (kill)
them.
He told the soldiers that: “I know they will still come; even when they come
make sure you deal with them more than what you have done. Recover more from
them what you have recovered now.
“Make sure no one goes back. They (terrorists) have to be completely eliminated
from Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad region.”
He said the “hunt for the neutralization” strategy, was to get the job done
faster; in restoring peace in insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and
Yobe.
He told them not to be complacent as the battle was not yet won; instructing
them that anytime the terrorists are at troops’ locations, they should be dealt
with ruthlessly.
He also instructed that they should go after the insurgents, insisting that:
“You do not have to wait for them.”
He said instead of waiting for the next attack by the insurgents, the troops
should “hunt and neutralize them wherever they may be.”
He however told them to remain focused, determined and give more than they are
giving now.
He later told them that: “Like I said, we are happy with you, but don’t drop
your guns. Stay alert to be alive to end Boko Haram insurgency.”
He said the 120 Battalion mottos, which is ever ready with fire, should be
interpreted to mean- defeat Boko Haram insurgents.
He said: “Any time they come engage them with fire.”
He said the military authorities is impressed with the troops’ successes
recorded in Goniri, especially the capture of five gun trucks and cache of arms
and ammunition without loss of personnel when they engaged Boko Haram.