Chief of Army Staff Relocates To Borno State Over Boko Haram

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, has relocated to the North-East to personally supervise the war against Boko Haram insurgents in the zone. There had been a public outcry over the increased rate of the massacre of innocent civilians, including schoolchildren, by Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and the Army, George Sekibo, confirmed the development to Punch on Sunday. He explained that Minimah’s relocation was in compliance with the committee’s resolution directing him to move to the zone to personally coordinate military operations there.

When asked what action the committee would have taken if the COAS had not heeded the February 26, 2014, directive, the Senate committee chairman replied: 

“What action do you want again? The Chief of Army Staff has already relocated.”

Punch gathered that the decision of the COAS to join his men and colleagues in the other services in the zone is largely responsible for the recent successes recorded by the military.

A source said Minimah was collaborating with the Chief of Air Staff whose men are providing air support for the Special Forces drawn from the Army, the Nigerian Navy, and others.

Investigations revealed that General Minimah had replaced the Commander of the 7th Infantry Division in the  area, Maj.-Gen. Junaid Bindawa with Maj.-Gen A. Mohammed.

A source said, “The GOC has been replaced by Maj.-Gen. Mohammed. He has since taken over. The man is very rugged that is why he is called the ‘bandit.’ He was very rugged as a young officer; in fact one of the most rugged military officers. He is very fearless.”

Boko Haram...enough of these senseless killings!