Musa justifies Sokoto airstrikes, warns communities against harbouring terrorists
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has defended his troops in their latest incursion into terrorist enclaves, saying the airstrikes in Sokoto against the Lakurawa jihadists were “precise” and “justified”, despite civilian casualties.
Ten people were reportedly killed and several properties destroyed on Wednesday in two Sokoto communities which bore the brunt of bombs dropped by military jets reportedly pursuing terrorists in Silame Council.
Musa warned villagers against harbouring terrorists under whatever guise, insisting that jihadists do not mean well for Nigeria and must not be allowed to destabilise it.
He spoke at the 8 Division, Nigerian Army Barracks, Sokoto at a lunch with troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA during which he reiterated that the military will intensify attacks on enemies of the country until they are entirely routed and defeated.
His words: “From now on and entering 2025, we will give in more. We are going to sacrifice more. We are going to attack more. We will not allow any criminal, whether terrorists, insurgents, bandits, armed robbers, sea pirates or whoever, to destabilise the country. Anybody who crosses the line must face the music.”
Musa expressed appreciation to the troops for their sacrifices, and said the recent deployment of the Special Operations Brigade and combat enablers have helped to eliminate and dislodge Lakurawa criminals from their camps in Sokoto and Kebbi, according to reporting by Leadership.
“Looking ahead, I urge you all to remain steadfast and resolute in your responsibilities. The coming year presents us with an opportunity to make significant progress in overcoming our dear nation’s challenges.
“And I want to tell all of us that we will ensure we are steadfast in our approach. We are going to be very robust in our operations.
“We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has approved a lot of enablers so that we can perform our tasks. We will not relent, and all those supporting enemies of the country should be ready.
“We’ve already started our operations. We’re going to commence and intensify our operations. We want to ensure that nobody is allowed to take any Nigerian hostage wherever he is in the country. It is our duty and task to ensure that every Nigerian can perform his duty freely.
“Together, we must strive to ensure that 2025 is marked by transformative victories in all our operational theatres. Nigerians are all praying for us. Nigerians are all happy with what we are doing and need to do more.
“We will secure the sovereignty of Nigeria and make sure that no elements, no criminal, are allowed to move freely within our territory.
“I also want to use this [opportunity] to extend our message to our neighbours, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Togo, to assure them that Nigeria will not allow anybody, any criminal element, to use its soil to attack any of our neighbouring countries, because we are the same.
“’The only thing we can do is train together, and that is it. We send our officers and soldiers training abroad. They equally send their own to come here for training. They can come here, and we do joint exercises, but no foreign base will be allowed in Nigeria”.
Musa warned Sokoto communities against allowing foreign bodies to remain with them in whatever form.
He stressed that “Most times, they want to use religion or tribe or sentiments and tell you they are together; they don’t mean well for you. As we see with the Lakurawa, they came in and gave the impression that they were friends, and now they have turned and shown their true colours.
“We are flushing all of them out, and to all Nigerians and innocent citizens, please do not support them for any reason or give them logistics, food, money, or allow them go anywhere to stay within your communities. There’s the adage that a friend of a thief is a thief.
“Anybody who allows them to stay within him is a legitimate target. I want to make that very clear. We are passionate as we always defend the human rights of every citizen. Still, anybody who allows himself to be used against Nigerians, we are going to go after him
“So I want to call on any community that is living together with those people, please drive them away or evacuate and leave them because we are coming after them. We will not spare anybody who turns himself into a rat, as the cat will always go to him.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation FASAN YAMMA, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, expressed satisfaction with the support of Tinubu, Musa, and the troops, saying they are committed to ensuring a safe country at all times.
He disclosed that recent promotions in the division have lifted its morale and motivated it to do even more to protect the nation.
Ajose saluted the gallantry of the troops for “Their courage, resilience and professionalism. as well as an unwavering commitment to duty has been instrumental in the successes recorded in Operation FASAN YAMMA”.
He paid glowing tributes to fallen colleagues whose sacrifices he pledged will never be in vain and their memory will forever inspire the soldiers alive to carry on the mission with renewed vigour and determination.
Others who were at the lunch included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, represented by Sayin Kilgori and Muhammad Jabi Kilgori, heads of various military and paramilitary agencies, and wounded soldiers.
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