Over the weekend, the Yobe state governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, accused the military of withdrawing troops from Yobe community community one week before Boko Haram members attacked the Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi and
abducted 110 of the female students. Governor Gaidam had posited that
if the military had not withdrawn its men, the unfortunate incident
wouldn't have happened.
The Nigerian Army has now released a statement refuting the
governor's claim. According to the Army, its men that were earlier
stationed in Dapchi were redeployed to another area due to fresh Boko Haram attacks and the security of Dapchi was handed over to the police division in the area. Read the statement below
The attention of Headquarters Theatre Command Operations LAFIYA DOLE,
has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency Alhaji (Dr)
Ibrahim Gaidam, Executive Governor of Yobe State, currently circulating
in the media, in which he reportedly alleged that the withdrawal of the
military was responsible for the recent suspected Boko Haram terrorists'
attack and abduction of female students from Government Girls Science
Technical College in Dapchi . This allegation is not only unfortunate,
but also very far from the truth
Although this Headquarters will not attempt to join in any blame
game, it is very expedient to set the record straight for the benefit of
posterity. In carrying out its mandate to counter terrorism and
insurgency in north eastern Nigeria, Operation Lafiya Dole has been
alive to its responsibilities vis a vis the fight against Boko Haram
insurgents. Several communities and Local Governments that were hitherto
under siege of the insurgents have been liberated and the insurgents
pushed out . While troops continue to trail and decimate the remnants of
the insurgents in the hinterlands, the security of the liberated
communities and towns fall in the hands of the sister security agencies.
The recent dislodgement and further decimation of the insurgents from
their enclaves in the Sambisa and the Lake Chad Islands are testimonials
to the effective operations of troops against the insurgents.
Additionally, troops are regularly conducting long range patrols, raids
and ambushes to canalise and take out fleeing insurgents. Given all
these efforts, it is very astonishing and shocking that such unfortunate
comment and allegation is been touted against the loyal and dedicated
troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
Contrary to the comments being circulated, troops earlier deployed in
Dapchi were redeployed to reinforce troops at Kanama following attacks
on troops' location at the Nigerian - Nigerien border. This was on the
premise that Dapchi has been relatively calm and peaceful and the
security of Dapchi town was formally handed over to the Nigeria Police
Division located in the town. Troops' redeployment was therefore done in
tandem with the exigencies of operation and not as misconstrued.
It is thus obligatory, to state that the allegation reportedly
attributed to the Governor of Yobe state is misleading and misinforming.
We reiterate our commitment and determination to carrying out our
mandate to fight Boko Haram terrorists in the north east. We also
implore members of the public to continue to support us with credible
information on the whereabouts of the Boko Haram terrorists. We would
also like to assure the parents, government and the good people of Yobe
State and indeed members of the public that we will not rest on our oars
in the search and rescue of the abducted school girls and any other
persons held captive by the terrorists.
Please disseminate this information to the general public through your news medium.
Thank you for your cooperation
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