At the 1st International Conference organised by the Department of History and Strategic Studies at the University of Maiduguri, former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), called on military authorities to accelerate counter-insurgency operations to bring the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin Region to a swift conclusion.
In his address, Buratai praised the military for their sacrifices and efforts in combating outlawed groups, emphasising the need to avoid prolonged conflicts akin to those in Colombia and Sri Lanka. He underscored the crucial role of comprehensive military operations, integrating military intelligence, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, and collaboration with local authorities to effectively address security challenges in the region.
“We believe the war should end in a very short time and shouldn’t prolong like those in countries of Colombia and Sri Lanka,” Buratai stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, the former army chief highlighted the significant achievements of the troops under his command, noting that they reclaimed nine local government areas in Borno within five months.
Prof Aliyu Shugaba, Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, lauded the institution’s resilience in the face of adversity, recounting how it remained operational despite four successive suicide bomber attacks on the campus.
