Donald Trump commends Nigeria’s military victory over Boko Haram - Defence minister

macfranc007 February 06, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Nurudeen Lawal

- The minister of defence lists various achievements of the Nigerian military against insurgency and insecurity in the country

- He attributed the successes recorded to the commitment and support of President Buhari

- He said that President Donald Trump of the US also commended Nigeria’s military strength

The minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali has said that Nigerian troops had freed 30,000 captives from Boko Haram Terrorists and that Donald Trump had commended Nigeria’s military strength when they met at a recent security meeting in Saudi Arabia.

The minister said this in a speech on Monday, February 5, at the special town hall meeting held for the military and security agencies in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.

He said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded remarkable success during the period under review particularly in the area of degrading the Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.

He also commended the commitment and support of President Muhammadu Buhari saying that the president’s support gave a boost to the key successes recorded by the military against insurgency and insecurity in the country.

Read his full speech: "Our gallant troops of the Armed Forces have successfully degraded the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast. Currently, no Nigerian territory is under the control of the Boko Haram Terrorists.

"So far we have freed over 30 thousand persons mainly women and children held hostage by the terrorists.

"The recent changes in the leadership of Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE and that of 7 Division Nigerian Army gave new direction and vigour to the operations in the northeast.

"Also, the regular visits to the operations Theatre by the honourable minister of defence and the Service Chiefs have boosted the morale of the fighting troops and success of the operation as a whole.

"It is pertinent to state that the troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the on-going Operation DEEP PUNCH II have inflicted heavy casualties on the Boko Haram Terrorists and routed them from their various hideouts in Sambisa forest.

"The troops of Nigerian Army recently destroyed the technical camp of the Boko Haram terrorists where a number of weapons and ammunition as well as bomb-making equipment were recovered.

"In a similar vein, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to bombard the Boko Haram terrorists hideouts in Sambisa forest. Recently, the Nigerian Air Force remotely piloted aircraft successfully destroyed artillery guns and some gun trucks belonging to the Boko Haram terrorists.

"On the issue of the welfare of troops and members of the Armed Forces, this administration has ensured the prompt payment of troops’ operations allowances and personnel monthly emolument.

"Also, the ministry has ensured that troops who have overstayed in the theatre of operations are rotated and new ones inducted. However, considering the demand for troops in the recent internal operations across the Country has disturbed our rotational plan.

"In addition, this administration has embarked on renovation and building of befitting accommodation for members of the Armed Forces in the 6 geo-political zones.

"Furthermore, plan for construction of 20 blocks of barracks accommodation by the ministry of defence is on-going to ease the problem of personnel accommodation in Abuja.

"It is noteworthy to state that some the gallant troops and well-deserved members of the armed forces have been promoted to the next higher rank as a way of encouragement for their selfless service.

"In its effort to improve the combat effectiveness and raise the morale of our fighting troops, this administration has procured modern equipment for the Nigerian armed forces.

"Recently, the Nigerian army took possession of 5 units of Caterpillar 972G Armoured Mine Disposal Wheeled Loaders for demining and rehabilitation operations in the northeast. Also, the Nigerian ‘Navy acquired 2 new French patrol boats OCEA FPB 72 for maritime security.

"In a similar vein, the Nigerian air force recently took delivery of the final batch of Super Mushshak aircraft from Pakistan. Furthermore, the United States has presented Letters of Offer and Acceptance to Nigeria for the Sale of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to Nigerian air force.

"The acquisition of the A-29 Super Tucano would be a game changer in the Nigerian air force air operations especially in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.

"In line with the decision of this Administration to increase the strength of the Nigerian Armed Forces towards the fight against insurgency in the northeast and tackling other national security, the Armed Forces has in the last 2 years enlisted and recruited qualified Nigerians into the Services.

"The armed forces is also engaged in various trainings of its personnel to increase its human capacity and professionalism which is aimed at facing the international security situation in the country.

"It is noteworthy to state that the confidence reposed on the present administration by the international community has increase the cooperation of the armed forces of Nigeria with militaries of neighbouring countries and other foreign nations especially in the area of training, intelligence sharing and information management.

This has led to the donation of a large assortment of military hardware by the Kingdom of Jordan to the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We have also reviewed our MOU’s with friendly countries to enhance our defence cooperation.

"It is pertinent to state that a number of reforms have been carried out by the Ministry of Defence. One of the major reforms was the review of the National Defence Policy which has been approved and signed by Mr President.

"Also, the armed forces Order of Battle was recently reviewed to meet contemporary security challenges faced by the country. A number of new Divisions, Commands and Units were established to ensure that the Armed Forces adequately cover the Nigerian territorial space.

"On Public-Private Partnership initiative of the Ministry of Defence. Currently, the Ministry is exploring the Public-Private Partnership to facilitate the development of DICON into a Military Industrial Complex..

"In line with this, DICON has identified 14 indigenous and foreign Defence related Industries and have consequently executed Memoranda of Understanding with them.

"Some of the foreign companies are MKE Defence Company and SUR International Investment Company both from Turkey while some of the local indigenous companies include PROFORCE and INNOSON.

"In the area of Research and Development, it is pertinent to state that Infantry Patrol Vehicles designed and manufactured by the Nigerian Army in conjunction with an indigenous company was recently commissioned.

"Also, the Nigerian air force aerospace engineers have designed and manufactured Tsaigumi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle which will assist Nigerian Air Force operations in the North-East. The Unmanned Aerial vehicle will soon be commissioned into the Service.

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"Recently, a seminar on civil-military relations was organised by the Ministry of Defence in Jos to enhance the good working relationship between the civilian and military component of the ministry.

It is pertinent to state that the Seminar has greatly improved the working relationship between the ministry, defence headquarters and the Services which hitherto see themselves as rivals.

"Finally, let me state that this government has given a special priority to security and has taken appropriate measures to tackle all security challenges in the country. The armed forces are currently engaged in various operations in the country.

"Some of the operations are Op LAFIYA DOLE, Op DELTA SAFE, Op SAFE HAVEN, Op MESA, Op IRON FENCE, Op AWATSE, Op SHARAN DAJI and Op SAFE Corridor which is specifically aimed at curbing insecurity in the 6 geo-political zones of the nation."

NAIJ.com previously reported that the minister of defence said that Nigeria would consider the absorption into the armed forces some members of civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who are assisting the military in fighting Boko Haram.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dan Ali, however, said the JTF members should be qualified to be absorbed.

Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram on NAIJ.com TV