Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, on Thursday
disclosed that some civilians who have been fighting alongside the Joint
Task Force against Islamist insurgents will soon be integrated into the
armed forces.
Mr. Muhammad Dan-Ali made the disclosure during a
courtesy visit to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State in Maiduguri,
the state capital. Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General G.A.
Olanisakin, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall S.B. Abubakar, and other
military officers accompanied the minister on the visit.
The
minister stated that numerous civilians had supported the military in
counter-insurgency operations. He also assured the people of Borno State
that the end of terrorist attacks by Boko Haram insurgents would soon
come.
“Since President Muhammadu Buhari’s assumption of office,
we have gained more ground against Boko Haram terrorists. And I assure
you the menace of Boko Haram will soon be over,” Mr. Muhammad Dan-Ali
declared.
He added that some civilian fighters would be
integrated into the armed forces after necessary reviews. The minister
thanked Governor Shettima for providing 30 sports utility vehicles to
aid “Operation Dole Lafia,” the code name for the military’s
counter-insurgency operations. According to the minister, the vehicles
would help ease the task of the military.
Mr. Shettima expressed
his gratitude to the minister and officially presented the 30 vehicles
worth N304 million. He added that the state government was determined to
continue assisting troops in their fight against Boko Haram.