The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday described as “unfounded rumour” that there would be massive retirement in the Nigerian Army following the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff who is of Course 37 of Nigerian Defence Academy.
Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to tackling current security challenges bedeviling the country by restoring peace to all troubled zones.
The Director of the Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, gave the assurance when he briefed journalists on the ongoing operations across the country.
Onyeuko said the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs had in the last few months conducted several operational visits to various theatres of operation, interacted with commanders, troops and other stakeholders.
He maintained that the various engagements were aimed at ensuring the military high command develop improved ways and means of tackling the myriad of security challenges across the country in partnership with stakeholders.
They reportedly killed many of his fighters and forced him to surrender.
Signal from security sources indicated that when Shekau discovered that it was the end of the road for him, and ISWAP fighters had directed him to relinquish his position as the grand amir and successor to the founder of the group Mohammed Yusuf, he opted for suicide by detonating the explosives he strapped to his body.
However, the AFP news agency reported that when Shekau reached the point of no return as he was surrounded by ISWAP fighters, he shot himself in the chest, fell on the ground while bleeding profusely but was whisked away to an unknown destination by some of his surviving loyal fighters.
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The Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated this in Abuja on Thursday when he briefed newsmen on the ongoing operations across the country.
He insisted that despite enormous challenges being faced in the war zones, the military would ensure current security challenges bedevilling the country are tamed and peace is restored to all troubled zones.
“We will continue to sustain the offensive posture and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to protect our economic assets anywhere,” Onyeuko said.
He added the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs had in the last few months conducted several operational visits to various theatres of operation, interacted with commanders, troops and other stakeholders – a development that has boosted troops’ morale.