Army promises to launch Operation Rescue Final aimed at rescuing all kidnapped persons

NIGERIAN Army commanders have promised to launch a fresh offensive codenamed Operation Rescue Final aimed at rescuing all abducted persons still in the hands of Boko Haram across the northeast of the country.

 

Since its offensive began ion 2009, Boko Haram has launched numerous attacks against towns and villages in northeast Nigeria during its which kidnaps large numbers of people. Abducted men are forced to join its army, while the women and girls as taken as brides and given to its fighters as wives.

 

Yesterday, the chief of army staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, said that his troops will mount a last offensive to free all those still being held by the sect. He made this known when the House of Representatives Committee on the Army, led by its chairman, Rimande Shawulu, paid him oversight visit.

 

Lt General Buratai said: “Once we start the operation, we will not relent until everybody abducted is rescued. We would like to thank the committee for the increased budget allocation to the army in 2016 and would solicit for more support to enable us carry out our statutory functions."

 

On the issue of human rights, he promised that the army would continue respect and not infringe on the rights of the people, while carrying out its duty. General Buratai, however, noted that whatever had happened in the course of personnel performing their duty was not deliberate.’’

 

He said to ensure respect for human rights, discipline and professionalism, the army launched its human right policy on Tuesday. Hon Shawulu commended the army for the fight against the insurgency and other security challenges nationwide in spite of the challenges of poor funding, inadequate equipment and state of their barracks.

 

Hon Shawulu, however, noted that because soldiers were deployed in almost all the states, performing functions, which ordinarily were not theirs, there had been friction with civilians. He assured that the committee would continue to support the army to enable it discharge its duties effectively.

 

“We are requesting for quicker responses to the issues and matters referred from the committee to you. This is important to assure members of the public that there is a channel that can lead to legal, constitutional and peaceful resolution of their complaints and will ensure that people do not seek extra legal resolutions,’’ Hon Shawulu added.