The Defence Headquarters has described the recent abductions in Borno and Kaduna states as a gross act of cowardice.
Over 200 women, and children who left the Internally Displaced Persons camps in search of firewood in Ngala, Borno state, were kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists on March 6, 2024.
Twenty-four hours after, no fewer than 280 pupils and teachers were abducted from a school in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Buba Edward stated that the attackers resorted to attacking harmless citizens as a result of the onslaught on them.
He noted that the terrorists and bandits were also aware of the doom that awaited them with the deployment of the newly acquired fighter jets.
Buba said the criminal groups intend to use the abducted students and IDPs as shields to prevent the military from bombarding them.
He also said the criminal groups carried out the attacks to boost their recruitment drive, adding that the military had in past operations killed their commanders and foot soldiers.
Buba said, “The terrorists have exhibited gross cowardice if you are following our operations you will know that we have been going after them and killed many of their commanders and foot soldiers. Troops have unleashed onslaughts on them. They have made life unbearable and too hot for them. In return, they have gone for soft targets and the reason is obvious.
“I told you recently we just received some platforms. These platforms are not for jokes, if many do not know the functions of these platforms, I tell you the terrorists do. To protect themselves, they carried out these recent attacks to use their victims as human shields and also to surge their recruitment drive because we have depleted their ranks. We will not rest until they are rescued. ”
Buba also said the abductions could have been thwarted had the troops been promptly alerted.
He, however, said the military would not rest until the kidnapped victims were rescued.
Buba said, “One thing I see common in the recent abduction cases was that the military was not given prior notice and notified timely for us to embark on a quick intervention and search and rescue operations.
“This is not the time to trade blame but what I can assure is that we will not rest until all of these hostages are returned. We have support from our International partner and, we have intelligence but because operations are ongoing there is little we can say. ”
Details later…
