Military Says Yobe, Adamawa Liberated From Boko Haram Insurgents

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Monday, March 16th, 2015

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen, Abuja – Defence headquarters Spokesperson, Gen. Chris Olukolade has confirmed another North Eastern State, Yobe is free of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents.

In some tweets Monday, Gen Olukolade confirms: “Adamawa is Free Yobe is Free Borno, is soon to be Freed By our able Military” #NeverAgain Gen. Chris Olukolade @GENOlukolade

Another tweet affirms: “We announced the reclaiming of #Goniri today. That was the Last Stronghold of terrorists in #Yobe. #YobeisFree #NeverAgain (Chanting)

In the meantime, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced the review meeting of the Multi National Force campaign against the insurgents in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

The Chiefs of Defence Staff of Nigeria, Chad and Niger met Monday along with delegations from countries participating in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign to review the progress so far made in the operations conducted by the countries.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, in a post Monday on the defence blog, explained that the meeting was to fine tune the coordination of the activities of the collaborative efforts of the operations, as well as aimed at establishing a structure for joint planning to enhance the joint operations and consolidate on the successes so far achieved in the mission with a view to accelerating its tempo.

CDS added that the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) was to be established and activated immediately, pending any other structure being put in place at regional and international organizations level with regards to the counter terrorism efforts.

The three countries, including Nigeria, Chad and Niger actively involved in the ongoing operation namely, the post stated were expected to utilize the structure to beef up their Liaison Teams already operating in the mission area.

The arrangement defence headquarters indicated was to enhance operational and tactical coordination as well as the synchronization of command, control and communication in the field and the higher headquarters. It said the structure would operate in cognizance of existing bilateral and multilateral documents and understanding among the countries.

“The meeting also resolved to enhance correct reportage on the operation as against the observed trend of sensationalism, propaganda or misleading reports emanating from certain quarters claiming to be reporting the mission. The authorized spokespersons are to coordinate and facilitate this arrangement” said the post.

The meeting had in attendance, the Chief of Defence Staff of Chad, Lt Gen Brahim Seid Mahamat and Niger’s Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Seyni Garba leading their countries delegations while Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen KTJ Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, V. Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu as well as senior officers from Service Headquarters constituting Nigeria’s military delegation.