No Progress Until Sambisa Forest Is Cleared Of Boko Haram – Cds

BEVERLY HILLS, NOVEMBER 21, (thewill) – The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Abayomi Olonisakin has explained that military operations in the North East is aimed at clearing Sambisa forest of Boko Haram terrorists, declaring that no meaningful development can take place without securing the vast forest by clearing remnants of terrorists for the protection of lives and property.

He made this assertion on Sunday at the Theatre Command Headquarters, while inspecting newly acquired military vehicles and armoured tanks at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

“The corridor is always open for the terrorists to surrender. However, we will not wait until they surrender. That was why the Operation Crackdown is in place to ensure that we take over the Sambisa Forest, clear Boko Haram terrorists in those places and make the region safe for economic activities,” he said.

The CDS stated that for the insurgents to be destroyed in the sub-region it had become 'fight to the finish,' to make the North-East safe for the rehabilitation of the people and revive economic activities.

While expressing Nigerians' appreciation of the efforts of the troops, he called on them to continue to do much more until Boko Haram is totally defeated.

“I want to commend the troops and also the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for his initiative in the re-modelling of the operational vehicles,” he said.

Olonisakin, who also spoke on what awaits repentant insurgents, said: “There is always room for the insurgents or terrorists to surrender. We have put up 'operation safe corridor' initiative to have them surrender and integrate into the society”.