Saturday Vanguard gathered that many of the newly acquired weaponry included tanks, long range and more sophisticated rifles, night vision equipment both for artillery and tanks usage as well as aircraft. All will be employed in the attack on Boko Haram.
The decision to launch the attack, it was learnt, followed concerns over increasing manoeuvres of the terrorists laying claim to Nigeria’s territories which international media and satellite images currently say is as large as present-day Belgium.
The Nigerian military has, therefore, finalised plans to conduct a ‘once and for all comprehensive operation’ towards the elimination of Boko Haram terrorists in the parts of North East to the boarders of neighbouring countries.
Competent sources disclosed that political authorities were alarmed by the latest video from the terror group which claimed that it had enough weapons to take on Nigeria and its neighbours. Consequently, Nigerian and Chad have endorsed a plan to attack Boko Haram.
About two battalions from the Chadian armed forces will launch their own attack from the Chadian side, it was gathered. And as the terrorists flee from the Nigerian onslaught, they are expected to meet their Waterloo in the hands of the Chadians.
Meanwhile, the Cameroon and Niger armed forces who have been put on the alert, will strike down the terrorists who may want to escape through Gamboru Ngala and such border towns.
It should be recalled that hundreds of Boko Haram terrorists attacked and seized part of Baga, headquarters of the Multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on January 3, during which hundreds were feared killed, with the international community tagging the atrocities committed as crime against humanity.
The deployment for the mission is expected to facilitate the elimination of safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria, a source confided. Innocent citizens living in the areas where the terrorists presently operate, Saturday Vanguard was reliably informed, are expected to temporarily vacate the area.
Contacted for confirmation, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade simply declared that the military would not relent in its efforts to restore peace to every part of the country as quickly as possible. He however admitted that all the countries bordering Nigeria are willing to complement its efforts as terrorism has remained a menace and threat to all in the region. (Credits: Vanguard)
A good strategic move, particularly if the forces are already in place before this press release, otherwise there is a high likelihood of the strategy being compromised. Boko Haram has proved to be more than a disjointed, disorganised terror group. One will rightfully assume that they constitue warfarism to above- average level in tactics and competence, supported by cutting-edge modern-day weaponry. While there is strength in number, well planned strategic and operational delegation and assignation of forces will determine victory. Indeed, Cameroun and Niger forces should also have their forces, not on stand-by, but battle-ready. It is obvious that the opposition will exploit any break-in-structure to either make a getaway or infilterate and regroup.
Let’s hope that the forces are favoured by the angels of warfarism.
Olubunmi.