By Usman Abubakar Maiduguri
Amidst the current Boko Haram/ISWAP terror resurgence across the Lake Chad basin, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has requested the Borno State government to fast-track the clearance of the waterways in the Nigerian section of the lake to enable troops access the terrorists enclaves in the Islands (tumbus) across the lake.
“We also want the roads leading to the lake to be rehabilitated to enable troops access all the terrorists-infested islands for easy and successful combat,” he requested from Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Maiduguri, weekend (Saturday, June 21).
Governor Babagana Zulum responded that,
“We will provide these and your other requests to enable you combat the terrorists gathering at the tumbus of the lake.”
The CNS had earlier visited the Navy Base at Lake Chad (NBLC), Baga, which was attacked by the terrorists last Wednesday, June 18, at Kukawa local government area where he assured troops that the Naval Headquarters was already working on deploying additional fighting equipment and manpowerment to further support their efforts.
He charged the troops to take the battle to all the enclaves of the terrorists groups in and around the Lake Chad and ensure that the water ways of Lake Chad is safe for all.
“I’m here on an operational visit to Naval Base, Lake Chad and by extension to the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Theater Command Headquarters,” he announced, saying, “This Base is one of the strategic Bases for the Nigerian Navy Contribution to Counter Insurgency in the Northeast.”
He commended the troops of naval base for successfully combating the ISWAP attackers and ensuring that the terrorists suffered great casualties when they came to attack the Naval Base recently, saying, “If at any time they want to attack our Naval Base again, they will think twice because of the massive defeat they suffered.”
The CNS added that , President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Military authority is fully committed to the welfare of troops, noting that all that is required is being accorded the desired attention.
The CNS who visited Baga alongside the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar advised the troops to eschew any form of inter – agency rivalry, pointing out that the collective objective should focus on taking out the enemy of the state, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
“ The Battalion here and the Navy Base must work as twin brothers of fighting against this hydra- headed threat of insurgency,” he said.
