The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, has embarked on the restructuring of the Defence Headquarters in his bid to make the country’s military more effective.
“In this regard, the office of Campaign Planning, Coordinating Centre for Naval Component, Theatre Commander and Deputy in Operation LAFIYA DOLE as well as Theatre Media Office have been established to coordinate the operational activities of the Armed Forces. The Theatre Media Office will interface with the media and general public in the North East,” Acting Director of Defecne Information, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, said Wednesday.
The Defence Spokesman in a statement issued in Abuja quoted the CDS as saying that the restructuring became expedient in order to inject new tactics, operations and robust initiatives to attain efficiency and professionalism in the major operations nationwide where rule of law and human rights are strictly adhered to.
He said that General Olonisakin made the disclosure at the occasion of end of year 2015 conference with Principal Staff Officers of the Defence Headquarters.
Col. Abubakar said: “The CDS affirmed his commitment to indivisible Nigeria, stating that the military will continue to fight for the unity of our dear country. He emphasised that Nigeria remains one nation, one destiny. He maintained that the Armed Forces is working round the clock in the fight against terrorism, illegal oil bunkering, cattle rustling and other forms of illegalities and crimes that are plaguing our nation.
“The Defence Chief used the occasion to advise the citizens of the country to be wary of the latest tactics of the terrorists to perpetuate their evils acts, especially in Mosques, Churches, market places, motor parks and other social gathering.
“General Olonisakin revealed that female bombers now get easy access to citizen’s homes by requesting for water to perform ablution. He warned the civil populace to be suspicious of such strange females asking for water for ablution or any other favours, maintaining that all those intrigues are calculated ploy to gain access to designated areas to detonate their bombs.
“While thanking the security agencies for their discipline and resilience, the CDS urged them not to relent in their efforts but to maintain the momentum towards purging our nation of bad elements. He also sought the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians in the fight against terrorism, adding that the war against insurgency is not for the military and other security agencies alone but for the generality of citizenry for a crime-free society as security is a collective responsibility.
“General Olonisakin therefore commended the troops in the North East for their sacrifices to their fatherland, promising that their allowances, entitlements and other required logistics would not be denied them to boost their morale for more successes.”
•Photo shows CDS, General Gabriel Olonisakin.
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