Ndume, the senate committee chairman on Army, raised the alarm of ISWAP revenge activities around the Chibok area
Fighters of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), are regrouping in the Lake Chad area, according to Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume.
He made the comment while reacting to ISWAP’s attack on the convoy of the military in Askira, an area close to Chibok, the Borno State community where more than 200 school children were abducted in April 2014.
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The ISWAP attack led to the death of Brig-Gen. Zirkusu. The news has terrified the Chibok community, many of whom have started fleeing.
Ndume urged other security agencies to give the Nigerian Army the needed support. He also urged residents around the Chibok area to be calm and not relocate, as the Nigerian Army has what it takes to take the fight to the insurgents.
He said: “I want to express my condolences to the Nigerian Army over the death of the General who died along Chibok road.
“ISWAP terrorists attacked a town there. They know that the General was the major obstacle to their operation. They laid an ambush and rammed a bomb-ladened car into his vehicle.
“He was a gallant soldier. He took the fight to the terrorists. His death has sent panic to people in that area.
“I am aware that some people around that Chibok area have started thinking of relocating.
“Some want to go to Mubi and other places. We are trying to urge them to remain there. The insurgency is coming to an end.
“This is not the end, but the beginning of the end of terrorists. I know that the Army has what it takes to take the fight to them.
“There is a need to urge other security agencies to give the Army the needed support. We also need to urge vigilante groups to assist them.
“For now, we will assume that it was an isolated case. But the intensity with which they came is worrisome.
“They came with more than 10 gun trucks. They are also regrouping around Borno North. That’s the Lake Chad axis.
“The military is aware and the Air Force is providing surveillance in the area. It was a revenge mission. The Army has been taking out key ISWAP commanders and they had their revenge.
“Last week, for instance, they abducted relatives of the Emir of Askira. They also abducted some passengers along that road. If the Army sustains the tempo, we will win this fight.
“The equipment is arriving gradually. We are monitoring. As a committee, we will go and see what had been brought into the country.
“This is an improvement. The Army is very rapid in responding. The Army is involved in about 33 states now. They’re under pressure.”
