Commander seeks collaboration with traditional rulers on insurgency

The Nigeria army yesterday said Major General Yusha’u Abubakar the Commander of “Operations Lafiya Dole” in the north east has called for collaboration with traditional rulers in the region to end insurgency.
A statement by army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said Abubakar called on traditional rulers in Mubi Emirate Council in Adamawa State and its environs to cooperate and share information with military components in the area.
Usman said he made the call when he toured troop locations in the frontlines of the counter insurgency operations in Adamawa State.
The visit also took the Commander to the Headquarters, 75 Strategic Tactical Group of the Nigerian Air Force where he was briefed on air procedure of “Operation Lafiya Dole.”
The Commander also visited troops of the 28 Task Force Brigade, Mubi where he commended them and delivered goodwill messages from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
He also attended an interactive session organized by the Department of Civil-Military Affairs for civil society groups where books and other learning materials were presented for distribution to all schools.
General Abubakar also visited Gombi where he addressed the troops before going to Yola, the state capital and visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp behind Gibson Jalo Cantonment.
Abubakar was accompanied during the visit by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal RA Ojuawo, Commander, 75 Strike Group, Air Commodore IO Amao and Commander 23 Brigade, Colonel ABA Popoola among others, the army statement said.
In another statement yesterday, Usman said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to adhere strictly to humanitarian laws in all its operations.
He said Buratai made it known yesterday when the Head of Operations, African Region, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Patricia Danzi led other members of the organisation on a courtesy visit to him at the Army Headquarters.
Usman said the COAS further stated that the mandate of the Nigerian Army was to facilitate humanitarian assistance provided by the ICRC and other humanitarian agencies like NEMA, adding that he is happy with the cordial relationship existing between the Nigerian Army and the organisation.