The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), has summoned all the Service Chiefs to an emergency meeting following the recent spate of deadly attacks on military bases in the North East.
The meeting, currently underway at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, is focused on reviewing the security situation after the military suffered heavy casualties in Borno State.
Those in attendance include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abass. Representatives of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) are also present.
No fewer than three Commanding Officers, holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, have recently been killed in action by terrorists in Borno. In addition to the loss of these commanders, scores of soldiers have paid the supreme sacrifice, while hundreds of abducted civilians remain in captivity.
Speaking briefly before the meeting entered a closed-door session, the Defence Minister addressed the recent setbacks. He acknowledged the losses but maintained that the military was inflicting greater damage on the insurgents.
“We know we have recorded some casualties, but it is more on the side of the terrorists,” the retired four-star General stated. He revealed that the high command had agreed to review and “harden” their operational strategies to better counter the threats.
More to follow…
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