The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrested of several members of Boko Haram insurgents in Lagos and Ogun States respectively.
The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81Division Nigerian Army Major General Tamunomiebi Dibi who this disclosure yesterday said suspected members of Boko Haram were arrested during several raids conducted in both states.
General Dibi made this disclosure soon after he handed over the reign of command of the Division to Major General Isidore Henry Edet as the new GOC of the Division.
Earlier in his address to officers and soldiers under the division, General Dibi who casted an iron shield security around Lagos and Ogun State warned soldiers against avoidable deaths of their members and also ensure the stay on the alert against extremists loyal to the insurgents.
The former General Officer Commanding said the war against Boko Haram is not only in the north eastern but also allover the country.
He said: “You are all aware of what we are going through, the problems of Boko Haram, the fact that you are not in the North East does not mean you are not fighting the war, you are fighting the war because wars of such nature does not have a front or a rear. Boko Haram can operate here and can operate in any part of the country.”
He said that the division had been able to curtail the excesses of Boko Haram especially by preventing them from striking in Lagos, urging the personnel of the Division to do more in ensuring that the insurgents never strike in Lagos.
He said soldiers and officers must ensure that the security measures put in place to ensure that the incursion of Boko Haram into Lagos are prevented, must be sustained, adding that personal security of the soldiers and officers must also be taken serious.
He urged soldiers in the Division to remain vigilant and also ensure that the insurgents do not infiltrate Nigeria’s economic hub and its environs.
The retired GOC noted that dozens of members of the Boko Haram sects were arrested during his 18months service at the 81 Division.
General Dibi said: “You are all aware of the challenges we are going through; the problem of Boko Haram. The fact that you are not in the northeast does not mean you are not fighting the war. We are all involved in the war because wars of this nature do not have a front or a rear.
So far, we are winning the war and I want you to do more. Be more vigilant and ensure security of your environment, your Barracks.
“I do not want to be in my village to hear about any careless death. I want to hear that this division I am leaving is the most efficient division in the Nigeria army. I give God the glory for making it possible to serve Nigeria for 35 years and retiring today. I also thank all of you for supporting me. Some of you have done so well by cooperating, some of you lagged behind. For those lagging behind, please change your attitude towards work, be more dedicated because you do not have any other job than this job, neither do you have any other army. The army is a voluntary organization which you decided to join, nobody forced you to join, therefore, do not allow any to force you do your job.
“If you do your job, you are not doing anyone any favour. It is your job and you should do it well.
“Military job is a challenging task and Lagos State itself is a peculiar state. We have had our challenging times but we were able to overcome them. Under my watch, we were able to prevent the incursion of Boko Haram insurgents into Lagos. A good number of them were arrested here in Lagos. Having served for 35years and retiring now, the legacy I expect my successor, the new General Officer Commanding 81 Division to uphold is to ensure a highly disciplined professional, efficient 81Division.”
