BEVERLY HILLS, May 26, (THEWILL) – The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, has hinted that the killer herdsmen carrying out attacks on villagers and farmers in many parts of the country likely have an affiliation with members of the Boko Haram sect.
He gave the hint in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday, adding that the army is investigating the herdsmen and also pursuing them so that their menace could be addressed.
“We want to call on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to report any suspicious persons or group of people that are roaming about in their communities,” he said.
“One may not be too far from the fact that some of these herdsmen that are attacking communities across the country may have some affiliation with the Boko Haram terrorists.
“This we are further investigating and also pursuing them so that we can address the situation, so let’s be security conscious. Let’s report quickly movement of suspicious persons carrying arms especially.
“If you suspect any individual within your community, we should be able to report immediately. Timely information is very important. We have our troops deployed in certain areas and I believe the Police are working with them to be able to tackle any challenge that comes in from them.”
He rebuffed reports that members of the Boko Haram sect captured a Nigerian village when they attacked a small community in Borno state few days ago, saying Nigerian troops responded swiftly and chased them away.
“They didn’t capture any village. They went and attack a community, small community in Borno State and our troops responded appropriately and we will continue to pursue them wherever they are.
“This situation may continue for some time, this is just pocket of them that sneaked out to go and commit such atrocities. Our troops are on top of the situation and we will continue to address such challenges.
“You know generally terrorism has no specific phase, they mix among the people anytime they want to strike, they sneaked out and commit such atrocities, so I want to tell you that no community is under Boko Haram as at now.
“No local government or any ward that we can say is under any Boko Haram seige. Our troops are patrolling all those places and we are coordinating with the multinational joint task force to ensure that the borders are well secured and are blocked from any infiltration,” he said.
In his speech, Amosun, called for the creation of an Army Division in Ogun State and lauded the Nigerian Army for the successes it has recorded against insurgency in the North East region of the country and cases of insecurity in other parts of the country.
Story by David Oputah
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