Capture Of Shekau: Buratai Grants Theatre Commander Extension
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has approved the request by Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru for extension of the deadline for troops to capture dead or alive, leader of Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau.
General Buratai had given the Theatre Commander 40 days beginning from July 21, 2017 which elapsed on August 30, 2017 within which the dreaded Shekau should be captured dead or alive.
However, the Theatre Commander had requested for more time after eliminating five key Boko Haram terrorists leaders believed to be close associates and right hand men of Shekau.
Also within the same period, the Theatre Command reportedly eliminated 82 Boko Haram terrorists in combat.
In granting the deadline extension, General Buratai said giving deadlines and extensions are strategic means of focusing troops’ efforts in the theatre.
He said at present, the operations’ main thrust is to decapitate all the remaining terrorists’ factions within the Nigerian territory.
The COAS therefore commended the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, his Sector Commanders and all troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE for pursuing his directive.
Buratai said though Shekau has not been captured, he was satisfied with the zeal and determination with which his directive was pursued, thus congratulated the Commander for eliminating five key leaders of the terrorists group that were the closest associates and right hand men of the terrorists’ group leader, adding that within the same period, 82 other Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated.
He further said; “The Commander was very close to achieving the directive. With this feat achieved, the relevance of Shekau is no longer of any consequence.”
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman enjoined the people of the North East and indeed all Nigerians to be more confident of the Nigerian troops and go about their normal activities.
