Military Operations in Nigeria

DIRECTOR DEFENCE INFORMATION BRIEFING AT MARCH 2017 PRESS FORUM

INTRODUCTION
1.      Directorate of Defence Information briefing is held on monthly basis or as the need arises to keep both the public abreast of contemporary issues through the media.  It is equally a forum to address and update them on issues of strategic and national security importance that must have been topics of public discourse, which requires clarification.  The brief will cover the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in particular in all the geopolitical zones of the country, the international arena and other security matters.

2.      The purpose of this forum therefore is to ensure that; accurate information is provided by the DDI through the media to the public.  It is hoped that this would engender a better working atmosphere between the media and the Directorate and reduce distortion of information to the public globally and locally to a large extent.  It is a truism that “if we don’t say it, they will say it for us”.

NORTH EAST
3.      Operation LAFIYA DOLE.   The major Operational activity of the Nigerian Armed Forces in NE is Op LAFIYA DOLE with emphasis on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.  It has the NA, NN and NAF components.  The AFN has been able to decimate and degrade the Boko Haram terrorists (BHT) from their TERROGENSIC activity to splinter acts of terrorism here and there mostly within Borno State.  Currently, clearance operation is on going jointly by the AFN to eliminate both active and passive acts of terrorism in the NE.  It is worthy of note that some countries such as Britain, USA and France among others provided one form of assistance to the military in our effort so far in the NE.  It is hoped that the collaboration would continue to ensure that; this “evil of terrorism is eliminated from Nigeria and equally degraded globally.

NORTH WEST
4.      Operation SHARAN DAJI.  Op SHARAN DAJI is the joint operation by the AFN to curtail banditry and cattle rustling in particular among others in the NW.  Currently, the activities of the criminals has been checkmated tremendously.  It is highly desirable to point out here, that a good number of criminals that were engaged in these activities embraced the amnesty offer by Zamfara State Government.  It is expected that, other states in the NW would emulate Zamfara State, so that; this wickedness of criminality is eradicated from the zone in particular and Nigeria in general.  However, I must say that the AFN acknowledge and appreciate all other forms of support provided so far by the various states in the NW aimed at ensuring the security of lives and property.

NORTH CENTRAL
5.      Operation SAFE HAVEN.  Op SAFE HAVEN is the Operation being conducted in the NC zone with the epicenter in Plateau State.  It is aimed at curtailing incessant ethno-religious crisis, combating cattle rustling, armed robbery, sectarian crisis and erstwhile attacks by BHTs among others.  It can be rightly said that relative peace has returned particularly to Plateau State.  The efforts of opinion, community and religious leaders among others were key to the success of the AFN and other paramilitary agencies involved at ensuring that peace returns to the general area.  However, it is necessary to sustain this effort through encouragement by the State Government.  The support of the Government to the Task Force is highly appreciated by the Nigerian military.  Leaders in various categories in other states of the country are requested to emulate those of Plateau State to facilitate peaceful co-existence and security of lives and property.

SOUTH WEST
6.      Operation AWATSE.  The main Operation by the AFN in the SW part of Nigeria is Op AWATSE aimed at curbing; pipeline vandalism and petroleum products related criminality with negative socio-economic consequence for the country.  It is ongoing.  Surveillance is key to the success of the military in this operation, which is based on accurate and timely