Nigeria’s military service chiefs hit the ground running upon their arrival on Tuesday in Maiduguri in compliance with the recent directive by Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Shortly after their arrival at the epicentre of the Northeast Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism Operation, “the service chiefs have commenced the Command and Control of the Operation from the Military Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri,” Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche has said.

In a statement, Enenche stated: “In this regard, the Chief of Defence Staff held a briefing session with the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, the Theatre Commander and Senior Principal Staff Officers of the military high command at the Military Command and Control Centre on August 1, 2017 on the reviewed strategic direction and operational plans, in compliance to the directive of the Acting President.

“This move and action are expected to give impetus to the military effort in the Northeast Operations.”

The Defence Headquarters appealed to “the public and people in the areas affected directly by the negative acts of terrorism and criminality, to come forward with credible information that will further assist the security and response agencies to tackle this menace.” It identified some of key information required which include the following:

a. Terrorists sleeper cell locations

b. Terrorists concentration areas and outpost locations

c. Collaborators and informants to the terrorists

d. Suspicious habitations and living quarters within rural and urban centres

e. Suspicious isolated settlements and camps outside normal living areas

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that peace and tranquility is restored to the North-East. Thus the cooperation of the general public, particularly those in the affected areas is highly solicited,” the statement said.