The Defence Headquarters has pledged to track down and bring to justice the killers of 17 officers and soldiers who were on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State.
This promise was made by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, at a media briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The 17 military personnel were killed while carrying out their duties to ensure peace and security in a Delta State community.
The attack has sparked outrage and concern over the safety of security forces operating in volatile regions.
General Musa, who communicated through the Chief of Defence Training and Operation, Major General Emeka Onumajuru, assured the public that the military is fully committed to finding and punishing those responsible for the deaths.
“The killing of 17 personnel of the armed forces of Nigeria will not go unpunished,” Musa declared.
Drawing a parallel with the lengthy process of capturing notorious figures like Osama bin Laden, Musa promised that the military will persist in its efforts.
“Do you remember how long it took to get Osama bin Laden? We are working on getting the killers of the 17 military personnel. No matter how long it takes, we will hunt them down,” he stated.
General Musa also addressed ongoing military operations in the Northwest Zone of Nigeria.
He revealed that the Defence Headquarters is reviewing these operations to improve their effectiveness.
The plan includes harmonizing various operations under a single Commander for better coordination and results.
The CDS urged communities in the Northwest, including Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi, to cease any support or provision of information to terrorists.
He highlighted a recent incident where local residents informed terrorists about the location of a military vehicle that was stuck in a swamp.
This information led to terrorists exploiting the situation, further complicating military operations.
On the subject of the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, General Musa described him as a “deranged individual” who poses a significant threat.
He assured that efforts to apprehend Turji are ongoing and expressed confidence that the situation will be resolved soon.
“Turji is just a deranged individual who feels power, but I can bet you that it is just a matter of time. We are going to get him,” Musa affirmed.
The CDS emphasized the crucial role of community support in combating terrorism and asymmetric warfare.
He warned that without community cooperation, it is challenging to counter non-state actors who blend into the population.
“You are dealing with non-state actors that are not wearing uniforms, you don’t know them, but they know you. And within the communities, if you don’t have the support of the community, it makes it extremely, very difficult,” Musa explained.
Musa reminded Nigerians of the complexities involved in asymmetric warfare, where traditional military strategies may not always be effective.
He stressed the need for community engagement to prevent the escalation of violence and ensure the safety of security personnel.
