By: Sunday Oyewole
The ongoing fight against terrorism in the north eastern Nigeria will enter a new phase on Monday as the Nigerian Army is set to take over internal security operations in that zone from the Defence headquarters’ controlled Joint Task Force (JTF).
Brig Gen Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information, in a statement on Sunday said Nigerian Army will create a new Division to be based in Maiduguri and headed by a General Officer Commanding (GOC) in the rank of a Major General.
He said, the new development is in line with the mandate spelt out in the State of Emergency declared by President Goodluck Jonathan in May, following frequent attacks by the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
The sect has claimed responsibility for series of violence attacks that had left thousands dead especially in the north east. It has also claimed responsibility for attacks on the Police Force headquarters and United Nations building in Abuja, as well as Christmas Day bombing at a Catholic Church at Madalla, near the Capital City.
Brig Gen Olukolade, stated “The command of the ongoing internal security operations in the North East will tomorrow, (Monday) enter a new phase as the control of the mission reverts to the Army Headquarters.
“Accordingly, a new army Division has been created and will take off to continue the counter-insurgency operation with immediate effect.
“Coming three months into the mission to stamp out terrorism in the North East, this development is in line with the plans laid out for the conduct of the operations to execute the mandate spelt out in the State of Emergency declaration by the President, Commander-in-Chief.
“The phase being concluded on Monday was executed by a Joint Task Force composed by troops drawn from the Services of the Armed Forces as well as other security agencies who conducted Operation BOYONA.
“Code-named Operation BOYONA, an acronym derived from the names of the 3 states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa covered by the State of Emergency declaration, the effort was meant to constitute the first phase of the counter-terrorists operation.
“The Nigerian Army will now be solely in charge of the operations, but still under the routine guidance of the Defence Headquarters.
“A General Officer Commanding (GOC), in the rank of Major General is being proposed to command the new Division which will have its Headquarters in Maiduguri. He is due to take over Command and the assets of the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force.
“The new Division is to continue with the conduct of counter-terrorists operations in the North East which comes under its Area of Responsibility”.
