Good roads, barracks fasten counter-terrorism operations in Northeast – Commander
By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri
The Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Maj-Gen. Christopher Musa has said that good roads and barracks’ affect the counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast.
Musa spoke; yesterday (Friday), when he paid a visit to Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director of North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Maiduguri of Borno state.
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According to him, the poor state of roads fuels terrorism and hinders the smooth counter-insurgency operations in Borno and Yobe states.
Citing the 135-km Maiduguri/Monguno road, he lamented that it takes six hours, instead of two for troops to reach the Lake Chad region frontlines.
He, therefore, urged the Commission to intervene in rebuilding the roads that lead to Sambisa Forest and the region.
He listed other bad roads to include; the Maiduguri/Damboa/Biu, Maiduguri/Jakana and Maiduguri/Dikwa/Gambouru roads.
He noted that because of the poor state of roads, it takes longer time to also respond to people’s distress calls on terrorists’ activities
Speaking on the massive surrender of Boko Haram terrorists, he disclosed that the surrender of terrorists along with their families have hit 17, 000,” stating that they include the combatants, non-combatants and their families.
“As they continue to surrender to the Army, what is next?” he asked.
He further disclosed that the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) is trying to stop Boko Haram fighters from surrendering to the Army.
He, therefore, appealed to Alkali to intervene and support the Army by rebuilding the roads to fasten troops’ operation and end the war.
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Responding, Alkali noted that during the Commission’s recent tours of five other states, there were no security challenges along the roads.
“This indicates that peace has been restored in the Northeast,” he said, stating that the Commission will support the Army in the resettling of surrendered terrorists.
