Why I asked that question was that the Chibok girls that were released, they brought them from the general Banki area…People are saying if all the Nigerian territories have been liberated from Boko Haram, where did Boko Haram bring out those girls from..
We are in Banki, interestingly, the two releases (of Chibok girls) were done during my tenure and I know what happened. So, let’s leave that. Let’s not go there. But what you must understand is that they handed them over in our presence, we were there. But this might not be a forum to discuss that.
What was you major challenge as a commander of the war against Boko Haram?
The major challenge is to get support of the public and of course, the cooperation of the media. The other challenges that more of internal are things that once you know what to do militarily, things shake up- equipment of course, talking to the troops, improving their welfare, administering their welfare, and reorganizing your operational plans. The major support, because asymmetry warfare is more or less intelligence operations and intelligence does not just come from the blues- you must relate to the public. So, the greatest challenge was having to get that public support for our operations because that was key and I think, by and large, with the plans that my colleagues and I put together, we have been able to get that partially.
It is on the upward trend and I am glad that we went through the route that we did. Also, for you colleagues in the media, we set up a lot of interactions regularly to ensure that a transparent view of our operational engagements and in the areas that we need them to exercise caution. Why? Because issues of national security is not just about the military. It is about the entire populace and so, to that extent, we have been able to make the progress that we have made. I would say the fact that we have made progress gives me joy, that you move around, not just in Maiduguri, you go to Dikwa, you go to Gamboru Ngala, you go to Damasak, Gubio, Monguno, people are retrurning to their normal activities.
If you go to Baga, fishing activities are taking place and then, to also know that roads have been opened. Looking at the number of commuters who play these roads give me joy. And beyond that, even the people themselves are getting to know that the Nigerian military is their own, the troops belong to their own Army, they are their own soldiers as supposed to what used to happen in the past when they see us as those who come from a different space. They now identify with us that we are from the same space with them. I think that is something of joy which I believe we will sustain.
What are those areas you will want your successor to focus on?
I don’t think it is right for me to set an agenda for him. In any organization, change is constant and when change comes, the whole essence is to have a driving force that will propel the organization to a higher level. And I think that Ibrahim is well suited to drive the current setting in the theatre to a higher level. I believe that he is well informed to be able to do that. I wouldn’t want to set a benchmark for him.
Are there aims that you set for yourself that you could not achieve…
There is a political strategic mandate which of course came from the Commander –in Chief himself which is that the Chibok girls should be rescued and I think that within the purview of Operation Lafiya Dole, it is something that would certainly be done because it is not concluded yet. That of course remains something that he, in my view would pursue. And of course, for those living in the iDPs camps now to return to their homestead, once that is done, this operation will be wound up.
To facilitate the return, is there anything the military is doing to help tackle the problems of mines planted by Boko Haram and unexploded ordinances which have been identified as a major danger to people who want to return to their communities?
Let me say one thing. First and foremost, war is not only fought by the military. And for me, as the Theatre Commander, I was there to implement the military line of operations. There are other lines of operations if you look at our campaign schematics. With respect to the unexploded ordinances which you talked about, you will always find such things. Of course, there are also the ones that the Boko Haram terrorists have laid. For us, we have taken measures to ensure that wherever we declare safe for civilians to return, all the unexploded ordinances have been taken care of. We do not open roads except we are sure that there are no IEDs planted. We have also taken delivery- thanks to the Chief of Army Staff who procured some equipment for demining.
Apart from those equipment assisting us in our operations by ensuring that the terrain becomes easier for us to traverse, it is also meant for such long term stabilization of the environment, making it safer for civilians to go back to their communities. But of course, you also know that there other stakeholders who are engaged in demining activities. And I believe that in due course, they will also be involved and the government will also come up with other measures beyond the military.
But most times, we want to put all these problems on the head of the military which is not right. But we have undertaken them. And if there are capacity gaps, it is in our place to make up for it because we have the understanding of what needs are to close up those gaps and I think that is what we are doing. Going forward, I believe that there will be something that will be more comprehensive in terms of addressing that specific need. And I do not think the problem would be to the extent of what you find in Vietnam or Congo DRC for instance. In my view, what we are doing or capable of doing should be able to meet the needs.
You detention centers are brimming with Boko Haram suspects…
You would always have that in war
Why is it difficult to bring them to justice …
You have to reserve that question for the Minister of Justice. Why should I go to court? I don’t prosecute. The Police and the Ministry of Justice should know what to do with them. Mine is that when I catch them in combat, I bring them to the detention centres and from there, someone else takes it up. Of course, there are enabling instruments that would be applied for them to be brought to justice.
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