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Terrorism: Supercamps borne out of operational needs, says CDS
Authorities of the Armed Forces on
Monday disclosed that it developed the Supercamps as part of strategies aimed at curbing the scourge of terrorism in the North East geopolitical zone of the Federation.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriele’s Olonishakin disclosed this during the opening of an security meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
General Olonishakin explained that the decision became necessary in the wake of constantly changing vistas of the war against insurgency.
“The supercamp concept was borne out of our need to restrategise to meet changing operational conditions in the North East.
“In respect to the security situation in the North East, especially Borno State, we are all aware that the Armed Forces in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies have been contending with insurgency and terrorism for many years now.
“Indeed, the counter-terrorism and counter insurgency operation in the North East predates the administration of his excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Despite the challenges we are facing, we have made appreciable progress. The Armed Forces continue to restrategise to address changing operational situation and practise of the insurgent terrorists.
“We have achieved better intergration of air and land as well as air power as well as greater coordination with other security and intelligence agencies, through regular strategic inputs at the highest level of command and down to the chain of command.”
“I want to assure the leadership of the House, that we will continue to do all we can to ensure peace and security in our country in line with our Constitutional mandate despite the challenges.
“As the representatives of the Nigerian people, we recognise the concern of the House and indeed the National Assembly on this issue.”
The military top brass however apologised to the House leadership for the inability of the Service chiefs to make last week’s meeting
“I need to add that as the Chief of Defence Staff, my inability to be here in person last Friday, was due to an equally urgent interaction at the presidency with the army chief..
According to him their absence was by no means a deliberate act meant to disrespect the institution of the National Assembly..
He said though they were not able to come, but their various chief of operation were present and were capable of answering the questions that would have been put towards them.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who was at the meeting with relevant committees said the meeting was to find out the state of the war against terrorism and insurgency.
He also said with the budget due in a week or two, there was the need to find out the needs of the armed forces in the prosecution of the anti-insurgency war.
“Security is one of the major concerns of this government and we have an obligation to arrest the situation and do whatever we can.
“Like in every democracy, there is collaboration among arms of government, only when we collaborate that we get the required results,” the Speaker said.
An attempt to convene the security meeting last week was unsuccessful as the service chiefs were absent and sent representatives.
This made the Speaker very angry and it was subsequently rescheduled for today Monday 23 September.
At the session were the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army), represented the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai
Yusuf Bichi the Director General Department of State Security and the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration service, Mohammed Babandede were also present.
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