Authorities of the Nigerian military have commenced tactical changes in some of its operations to contain the renewed attacks in Plateau, Borno and other states.

With the changes, which began yesterday with the Nigerian army, the force that commands ground troops against external aggression, are expected to be extended to the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy in a few days.

Sources in the military confided in our correspondent that top officers had been redeployed to strengthen ongoing operations.

The Theatre Commander for North East Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State and the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, were among the senior officers redeployed.

It was gathered that Major General A.E. Abubakar is now the new Theatre Commander for OPHK; while Major-General A.K Ibrahim, is the new Commandant for Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

A source said the new commander and other tactical and strategic commanders redeployed would assume duties after the Easter celebration.

The Theatre Commander, Major-General Shuaibu Waidi, took over the leadership of the theatre on January 30, 2024 from Major-General Gold Chibuisi to sustain the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the region.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum had recently said nothing much had changed in terms of the activities of the insurgents.

Zulum, had last Tuesday while heading an expanded Security Council meeting held at the council chambers, Government House, Maiduguri, said the state was at risk of returning to turmoil.

“Many military locations were dislodged, especially in Wulgo, Sabongari, Wajirko among others. It seems we are losing ground and this is a very important thing that we need to discuss. Peace has gradually returned to Borno within the last 3 years, but we are witnessing sporadic attacks in recent times,” Zulum had said.

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Other officers redeployed are: Major-General B.I. Alaya, Director-General, DICON; Major-General M.K Gara and Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, K.O. Ukandu, among others.

Consider political solutions – Expert

Commenting on the redeployment and renewed attack, a retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, said only the military solutions cannot curb various attacks happening in different States, adding that political solutions should also be employed.

He said, “What I know is that, the redeployment is a routine exercise in the army. When the redeployments are taking place, round pegs are taken to round holes to make sure that there is no stone unturned in terms of providing the security. It is routine.

“At the same time, the right people would be taken to the right positions to beef up if there are any lapses. They are all ready for it. They are equal to the tasks any time any day, and they are always prepared for postings.

“The redeployment will only contribute because the problem does not need only military solutions, political solutions are there too. They should look at both the military and the political solutions, not only the military solutions.”

He added: “There are inherent problems in the States where there are problems. They have peculiar problems causing this insecurity. It is not only a military solution that is needed. Citizens should be involved, politicians should be involved too.

“They should provide an enabling environment to provide insecurity. They should give prompt information to the security agencies, they should not harbour criminals in their midst.

“They know these criminals, they know where they come from, they know when they come, the military cannot be there 24 hours in a year. They need collaboration of the community to succeed. It is not something the military cannot solve but they need collaboration of the citizens.

“They (politicians and citizens) should search their minds and say what is the problem? Some of them may be saying or pretending that the President is not doing anything about security because the election is coming now, Nigerians play politics with everything, they can play politics with anything.

“So, let us search our minds and do the right thing. All hands must be on deck to tackle this insecurity situation we find ourselves in.’

‘Use new technology, improve troops’ welfare’

Also, on his part, a retired director at the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, submitted that the redeployment can only do little if tactical and strategic operations are not enhanced with the new technology and better welfare for the frontline troops

Ejiofor said, “I don’t think that will solve the problems because the same troops are there, it is only the commanders, and possibly to boost their morale with the new leadership. There are some tactical changes, but if it is the same way they’ve been operating, the same results.

“You would recall that during Jonathan and Buhari administrations, people were calling for change of service chiefs, change of service chiefs and commanders while operating with same service conditions cannot make a difference.

“So, we need to get the welfare of troops, enhance technological development, and the involvement of members of the communities – something like the first line of defence, the community needs to be involved because we don’t have sufficient troops to take care of all these challenges.”

NAF airstrikes bomb terrorists in Sambisa

Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Air Force attached with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, executed two air interdiction missions and bombed terrorists’ strongholds in Borno State’s Sambisa general area and the Southern Tumbuns.

NAF’s spokesman, Ehimen Ejodame, an Air Commodore, told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the first strike occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. in Kollaram, a known stronghold of insurgents.

According to him, intelligence reports, supported by surveillance footage, confirmed the presence of high-value terrorist commanders in the area.

He added, “Several structures, some equipped with solar panels, were identified as active terrorist hubs. Nigerian Air Force assets carried out a precision strike on the location, eliminating several fighters and disabling key infrastructure.”

The senior military officer also said a second precision strike followed at about 3:55pm in Arra, Sambisa adding that Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions had earlier detected clusters of terrorists, and real-time visuals confirmed the significant presence.

“Precision-guided munitions were employed, resulting in the effective destruction of targets and disruption of the group’s operational capabilities.

“These back-to-back missions are part of a sustained air campaign designed to erode terrorist capabilities, dismantle leadership structures, and eliminate sanctuaries across Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Air Force remains committed to ensuring that no location within the country offers safe haven to terrorists,” Ejodame told journalists.