The Federal Government has deployed 500 more troops in the North East to bolster the war against terrorism in the region.

Coordinator of the Joint Information Centre, Mr Mike Omeri, announced the deployment of more troops yesterday at a news conference in Abuja.

He said: “As part of efforts being made to check the incursion and Boko Haram challenge, the military has continued to reinforce its presence in several challenged communities in the North-East.

“Military authorities have confirmed the renewed deployment of more than 500 troops to support the expedition around that area.”

Omeri said that the Federal Government was doing everything to ensure the safety of lives and property in the country and appealed for support of the general public.

He promised that the troops were prepared to put an end to the insurgents’ activities in different towns and villages in the North-East.

“We believe that with this commitment and the additional deployment, the situation will be brought under control,” Omeri stated.

An eyewitness said the troops are in high spirits as they head for the troubled region to confront Boko haram insurgents who have in the past few days suffered heavy losses against the Nigerian military.

In a posting on his Facebook wall last Saturday, Valentine Obienyem, a lawyer and independent media practictioner, wrote in a short piece he entitled MOVEMENT OF TROOPS TO BORNO STATE:

“I am at Kaduna Airport trying to board a flight, behold I saw large no of troops boarding the army transport plane I suspect to be Hercules C130. I interacted with some of them and they said they were going to Borno State. They are in high spirits. I encouraged them, wished them well and prayed to God to see them through in the battle against terrorism. I also saw movement of heavy ammunition towards Borno State. I realized it might be in fulfillment of total war the President has already ordered.

“Rather than speak disparagingly against the Army, let us encourage them. It is not easy to fight monsters, suicide bombers, that are ready to die. While you mourn the innocent killed, they only calculate home many people died with them in the anesthesia of prosecuting a holy war.

“This time calls for Nigeria to become united like antibodies gathering to attack an infection.”

•Photo, courtesy of Valentine Obienyem, shows Borno-bound Nigerian soldiers boarding an army transport plane in Kaduna.

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