The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says that troops fighting insurgency and other forms of insecurity in the North East have recorded significant milestone.
Lagbaja said this on Thursday in Jos, while interacting with Media Executives as part of the activities to commemorate this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebrations.
He blamed the recent suicide bombing in Gwoza, Borno on the offensive operation launched by the troops against various terrorist groups in the North East.
He said: ”The conduct of offensive and other forms of operations in the north east is still ongoing and we have recorded significant gains.
”We have taken the battle to the terrorists’ enclaves and have recovered various kinds of sophisticated weapons.
”So, the recent suicide bombing is because of our major dry season offensive operations, but we are on top our game.”
The army chief said that intelligence report had revealed that after its offensive operation, the insurgents prepared 15 suicide bombers for Gwoza but only three succeeded.
”We are saddened by the occurrence but we have upped our game against any future occurrence.
“Our troops have done well and are ahead of our enemies.
”However, I want to call on Nigerians to be security conscious, we must ensure proper checks in all public gatherings,” he said.
He described the fight against insecurity as a collective one “and we must not take it for granted”.(NAN)