The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has assured that the fate of the terrorists that perpetrated this insecurity will be violent and short as troops will stop at nothing to take them out, off the battlefield.
Maj.-Gen Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, explained that the recent operations had decapitated the leadership of the terrorists, depleted their resources, reduced their support base and reduced their influence.
He said, “The terrorists embarked on these cowardly attacks against innocent citizens to project an image of strength to cover their weakness and decline.”
He stated that citizens must see through the smoke screen of the terrorist, adding that they must realize that the terrorist aims to counter the reports of their weakness and create panic in the general population.
The director explained that the military was aware that in this phase of their ending life-cycle, the terrorists are desperate to attract attention, bolster relevancy, mobilise recruits, reduce support for the armed forces and reduce support for the government.
He called on citizens to stand united, remain vigilant, and continue to support efforts of the armed forces to ensure a secure and peaceful future.
The troops of Joint Task Force Operations Hadin Kai in the North East theatre, had recorded a series of reprehensible terror attacks in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.
According to him, the coordinated attacks comprised of multiple Person Bourne Improvised Explosive Device ( PBIED), otherwise known as suicide bombings, saying that all the attacks took place on June 29 targeting communities and troops were enforcing curfew.
The statement noted that 20 persons were killed while 52 sustained various degrees of injuries and receiving treatment.
He said that the armed forces view every life lost as a result of the ongoing war, whether civilian or military, as an immense tragedy, lamenting that the sad loss of lives is a tragedy for the society, community and the nation.
On behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, officers and members of the armed forces, the statement expressed its condolences even as they mourn with all who have lost loved ones, as well commiserate with all victims needing healing and recovery.
We will take off terrorists at battlefield – Defence headquarters