…Promise to leverage on International support
…Accuse terrorists of cowardice
The military has vowed to rescue citizens who were abducted in groups by a brutal and blood tasty terrorists in different locations in North East , North West and North Central Zones in the past two weeks even if it means leveraging on international supports.
Abduction of large groups of people particularly school pupils in the past weeks have raised concerns in the country as 112 internally displaced persons IDP, were abducted by terrorists at Gamboru Ngala LGA in Borno State om March 3, 2024.
On March 7, 2024 terrorists invaded LEA school in Chikun LG of Kaduna State and abducted unconfirmed number of pupils while on March 9, 2024 terrorist invaded and kidnapped 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba said on Thursday that the abductors are terrorists and not bandits as generally believed in some quarters.
“They are holding these citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world. No doubt , this is a difficult situation, but not one that is insurmountable.”
“The hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war. These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reached.”
He said that the situation is however indicative of “the desperation of these terrorist to avoid troops onslaught by all means.”
He recalled that in recent times troops have decimated several of the terrorist leaders, commander and foot soldiers and fast closing in one several others. He said “these terrorist have exhibited cowardice by going for such soft targets to impede troops advances.”
Major General Buba assured the public that the military will not rest until those abducted are returned.
He said that given the hostage situation, “it can be deduced that the search and rescue effort was grossly affected by the none timely notification of troops of the incident. Nevertheless, I can assure you that we will not rest until these hostages are returned.”
The Director said because of the sensitivity of the matter, he “can not go into further details as to signs of life, location, and the different options that we have in order to get these hostages back.”
He however pointed out that, “getting these hostages back is very clearly on the top of our priorities. It is for this reason we have leveraged on our international partners for support.”
“Accordingly, they are providing the necessary support including intelligence that is giving us the advantage in dealing with the ugly situation.”
He reminded citizens that the country is at war and ugly things happen during war therefore all should be mindful of propaganda, deception, misinformation, disinformation and fake news.
There is therefore the need for citizens to be circumspect when they see post from these terrorist groups and their cohorts, particularly on social media