Sokoto Airstrike Was Precise – CDS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has said that the airstrike in Sokoto against the Lakurawa terrorist group was not only precise but also justified.

This was even as the CDS warned villagers against harbouring terrorists under whatever guise, adding that they do not mean well for the country and must not be allowed to destabilise the nation.

Speaking at the 8 Division, Nigeria Army Barracks, Sokoto Thursday at a lunch with troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA, the CDS reassured that troops will intensify attacks on enemies of the country until they are entirely routed out and defeated.

‘’From now on and entering 2025, we will give in more. We are going to sacrifice more. We are going to attack more. We will not allow any criminal, whether terrorists, insurgents, bandits, armed robbers, sea pirates or whoever, to destabilise the country. Anybody who crosses the line must face the music”, the CDS warned.

While appreciating troops for their continued sacrifices, the CDS said the recent deployment of the Special Operations Brigade and some combat enablers have aided in eliminating and dislodging the emerging Lakuawa terrorists from their camps in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

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He further assured that the Armed Forces under his leadership would continue to sustain its operational temple and posture across military deployments, both at home and abroad.

To the troops, the CDS said, ‘’Looking ahead, I urge you all to remain steadfast and resolute in your responsibilities. The coming year presents us with an opportunity to make significant progress in overcoming our dear nation’s challenges.

‘’And I want to tell all of us that we will ensure we are steadfast in our approach. We are going to be very robust in our operations.

‘’We appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has approved a lot of enablers so that we can perform our tasks. We will not relent, and all those supporting enemies of the country should be ready. We’ve already started our operations. We’re going to commence and intensify our operations. We want to ensure that nobody is allowed to take any Nigerian hostage wherever he is in the country. It is our duty and task to ensure that every Nigerian can perform his duty freely.

“Together, we must strive to ensure that 2025 is marked by transformative victories in all our operational theatres. Nigerians are all praying for us. Nigerians are all happy with what we are doing and need to do more.

“We will secure the sovereignty of Nigeria and make sure that no elements, no criminal, are allowed to move freely within our territory. I also want to use this to extend our message to our neighbours, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Togo, to assure them that Nigeria will not allow anybody, any criminal element, to use its soil to attack any of our neighbouring countries, because we are the same’’.

The CDS also clarifies that the nation will not allow the establishment of any foreign base as the security agencies have the capacity and capability to tackle its challenges.

“’The only thing we can do is train together, and that is it. We send our officers and soldiers training abroad. They equally send their own to come here for training. They can come here, and we do joint exercises, but no foreign base will be allowed in Nigeria”.

Regarding the recent incident in Sokoto, the CDS warned against allowing foreign bodies to come and remain with them in whatever form.

“Most times, they want to use religion or tribe or sentiments and tell you they are together; they don’t mean well for you. As we see with the Lacurawas, they came in and gave the impression that they were friends, and now they have turned and shown their true colours. We are flushing all of them out, and to all Nigerians and innocent citizens, please do not support them for any reason. Give them logistics, food, money, or go anywhere to stay within your communities. There’s the adage that a friend of a thief is a thief.

‘’Anybody who allows them to stay within him is a legitimate target. I want to make that very clear. We are passionate as we always defend the human rights of every citizen. Still, anybody who allows himself to be used against Nigerians, we are going to go after him”’.

‘So I want to call on any community that is living together with those people, please drive them away or evacuate and leave them because we are coming after them. We will not spare anybody who turns himself into a rat, as the cat will always go to him”’, the CDS assured.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation FASAN YAMMA Major General Ibikunle Ajose expressed satisfaction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the CDS, and the troops’ support, saying they are committed to ensuring a safe country at all times.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commander 8 Division, Nigeria Army and Commander Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, said the division’s recent promotion has lifted its morale and motivated it to do even more to protect the nation.

While expressing appreciation to the CDS for his continued support to the army, the GOC also saluted the gallantry of the troops, saying, ‘’Their courage, resilience and professionalism. as well as an unwavering commitment to duty has been instrumental in the successes recorded in Operation FASAN YAMMA”.

Continuing, the GOC, Maj. Gen. Ajose paid glowing tributes to fallen colleagues, adding that their sacrifices will never be in vain and that their memory will forever inspire them to carry on the mission with renewed vigour and determination.

He also thanked troops who sustained injuries during the ongoing operations and are currently undergoing treatment, stressing,” ‘together, we will continue to overcome challenges and achieve greater milestones in the quest for peace and security”.

Dignitaries at the occasion included the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, represented by Sayin Kilgori and Muhammad Jabi Kilgori, heads of various military and paramilitary security agencies, and wounded troops.