Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says he would not leave the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole until Boko Haram insurgents are decimated.
Buratai relocated to the northeast over the weekend following a major blow on the insurgents by Chadian troops.
During a special Easter celebration with the troops on Monday at Ngamdu Special Super Camp, Buratai regretted that the insurgency had lasted for too long but gave assurances that in no time the group would be defeated.
“We will not leave this insurgency to last like in other countries who have fought insurgency for close to 50 years. We cannot allow that to happen here,” he said.
Buratai assured the troops of the support of President Muhammadu Buhari whom he said has provided all that they need to defeat the group.
“You may wonder that this counter-insurgency operation has lingered for too long, we all know globally that counter terrorism is very complex. There are some countries that have fought counter terrorism for close to 50years. But we’re not going to leave it, we will not leave this camp,” he said.
“We are here, we will not leave this camp until we substantially degrade these criminals. By God’s willing, we shall be there with you no going back once we commence. We will be with you in the valleys, on the hill, in the jungle, in the river and so on.
“As I speak now, we have some elements that are providing us with necessary intelligence and once we start, no going back. We are here and we make sure that we get ourselves properly motivated, properly equipped and I assure you will have the best of time.
“Some of you have been here before like two-three times but I tell you are going to have the best of time. We want the best out of you. We need your courage and determination.
“I want you to have at the back of your minds that Mr President is solidly behind you. We have already started getting the consignment of what we require for us to handle this insurgency and terrorism. It is a matter of time and a very short time.”
