Final Push: Nigerian Army moves to take over Sambisa Forest

Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, said on Sunday in Maiduguri that an operation tagged “Operation Crackdown’’ to take over the Sambisa forest from the Boko Haram terrorists by troops had commenced.

Olonisakin spoke while fielding questions from newsmen after he inspected some military fighting equipment at the headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation Lafiya Dole.

He also said that alongside the operation crackdown, “Operation Safe Corridor Initiative’’ had also been put in place for the terrorists to surrender.

“That is the corridor for them – terrorist to surrender. That corridor is always open.

“However, we will not wait until they surrender, that is why operation crackdown, to ensure that we take over the Sambisa, clear the terrorists from those places and make the place safe for development,’’ Olonisakin said.

The chief of defence staff said that he was in Maiduguri for operational visit to encourage the troops to continue the fight and commend their efforts so far.

He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for ingenuity and creativity in the war against insurgency in the North East.

Before embarking on the inspection, the CDS had met behind closed doors with the Chief of Army Staff, Commander, Theatre Command, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor and senior military officers at the headquarters of the Theatre Command.

Olonisakin also visited wounded soldiers at the 7 Division Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog