Terrorists now kidnap for ransom, rob residents, says Army Chief

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has noted that members of Boko Haram and Islamic State for West African Province now kidnap for ransom and rob citizens to keep up with their nefarious activities.

Lagbaja while speaking during his visit to Maiduguri, Borno State to assess the security situation in the state, said that the development is a discovery by the service of the new tactics used by terrorist organisations in the country.

A statement on Friday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu,. said the COAS promised to provide combat enablers to support ongoing operations in the region.

It partly read, “The COAS lauded the troops for the operational successes so far achieved. He observed that new trends have been noticed in the activities of the terrorists, adding that they are now reverting to abduction for ransom, pillaging for logistics, and attacking civilians with Improvised Explosive Devices.

“He assured that Combat enablers will be provided to support ongoing operations to further ensure more pronounced stability in the region. We will continue to bring you updates as the COAS continues his operational tour of the North East Theatre of Operations.”

Onyema said the Army Chief would also be assessing the operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in a bid to ensure peace return to the state.

The COAS has arrived at the capital of Borno state on an operational tour to assess the security situation and reinvigorate ongoing Counter terrorism counter-insurgency operations being conducted by troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Theatre of Operations.

“The Army Chief arrived the theatre Thursday night August 31, 2023, and has been briefed by the Theatre Commander Maj Gen Golden Chibuisi on the current security situation of the North East, ongoing operational activities to clear terrorists from their enclaves in the Lake Chad region and the Mandara mountains as well as the challenges of the outfit,” the statement said.