The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) has said that more soldiers are to be recruited to halt the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
According to him, the recruitment of soldiers with professional skills and fighting equipment with strategies could route out remnants of terrorists from hideouts.
Magashi disclosed this yesterday while addressing troops at the Military Command and Control Centre, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
He said the deployment of more soldiers to Sambisa Forest, Lake Chad region, and the Mandara Hills, would be inevitable to end the war.
While appreciating the efforts of troops at the parade ground yesterday, he said: “It’s only you that could perform professionally in the theatre of war.
“We count on every one of you in the frontlines of the forest and Lake Chad region to end the over-decade insurgency,” he said.
The minister also tasks the soldiers to fight the insurgents to their knees, until they are completely routed from their hideouts in Borno and Yobe states.
While reviewing the counter-terrorism operations, he said: “I’m here today in Maiduguri to assess your fighting spirit, before we could unfold a plan on how to end this war.
“We also believe in your commitments and the professional skills of fighting Boko Haram insurgents to end the war,” he said; noting that the over decade-long terrorism has claimed many lives and property in the region.
Ada Peter
