The Theatre Commander Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HARDIN KAI (OPHK), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has said the non – kinetic approach was a panacea to enhancing counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
He disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Accra Initiative (AI) for Regional Strand on Non-kinetic Strategy in Combatting Insurgency, led by the National Coordinator Security Governance Initiative and Adviser to the Chief of Defence Staff on non-kinetic, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi at the Headquarters Theatre Command Maiduguri, on Friday.
A statement from the Director Army Public Relations Headquarters Theatre Command, Captain Reuben Kovangiya (Acting Deputy) said, “Represented by the Deputy Theatre Commander Maj.-Gen. KE Chigbu, the Theatre Commander noted that the kinetic approach alone was not enough to curb insurgency, but rather compelled insurgents to surrender.
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He added that the Theatre Command was deeply engaged in non-kinetic activities, such as the construction and renovation of schools, drilling of boreholes, medical outreaches, as well as school and Qur’anic recitation competitions, which have yielded results and led to the surrender of many insurgents.
He further stressed that these feats were achieved in collaboration with other components of the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and other security agencies in the North East.
The Commander further lauded Borno State Government’s efforts, supported by the federal government in non-kinetic activities, through organisations such as the North East Development Commission.
He used the medium to thank the team for the visit, saying the visit was a testimony that the military was a major stakeholder in the restoration of peace in the NE, which he said was the mandate of OPHK.
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Earlier, the team leader Hon Aliyu Gebi stated that the purpose of their visit, was to acquaint the Command with what the organisation was doing, which he said, was mainly non-kinetic line of action in support of operations.
He said the organisation was ever ready to fully interface with the military for non-kinetic support and engagements.
Hon Gebi further requested a representative from the Command to be part of the Fusion Cell, as it was customary. He equally used the medium to convey the organisation’s condolences over the recent killing of Nigerian Army personnel in Delta State and thanked the Nigerian military for their sacrifices.
High points of the visit were; interactive session, signing of visitor’s book, exchange of souvenirs and group photograph.
In attendance were Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Accra Initiative Maj.-Gen. Michael Amoah, Commander Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, Brig.-Gen. S Adamu, Component Commanders, Chief of Staff Headquarters Theatre Command, senior officers and other personalities from the Accra Initiative amongst others.
