by Azubuike Azikiwe

The Nigerian Army is displeased with recent reports by the media on the Boko Haram crisis in northeastern Nigeria.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that foreign and online media clearly intended to cause panic in Maiduguri nation, through its reports of the crisis, which it called ‘alarmist reports’.

According to a statement posted on the DHQ website on Thursday, 11 September, the necessary security apparatus for the defence of Maiduguri from the insurgents, had been upgraded to handle any intended attack, and that the arrangements would take care of attempt to disrupt the city’s prevailing peace.

It said, “This kind of alarmist report is uncalled for in view of the efforts and alertness. Citizens are nevertheless enjoined to remain vigilant as they go about their lawful businesses.”

The statement also said that the situations in Mubi, Michika, Bazza, Gulak, Gwoza, Bama, Gamboru Ngala and other parts of the North East had been stabilised, with the ongoing highly-coordinated air and land operations.

“The efforts are yielding impressive results in the overall move to rid the areas of terrorists’ activities”, it added.

Widespread media reports have it that the Boko Haram militants have captured some of the towns which the ‘Defence Headquarters’ says has been stabilised. The Army has repeatedly debunked media reports that the sect has overrun the tows, despite the fact that Gwoza was recently declared a caliphate by the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.

Since the menace of the Boko Haram became , the Nigerian Army’s credibility and competence have come under question, largely because of its inability to effectively combat and defeat the rampaging insurgents.

The military has also been accused of a conscious unwillingness to tackle the terrorists, who have persistently wreaked havoc and terror on several towns in north-eastern Nigeria.

Giving a semblance of credence to this allusion is the recent naming of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Azubuike Ihejirika as a sponsor of Boko Haram activities.

In recent times, civilians in Adamawa have had to take up arms and engage the Islamists, after they claimed that the army could not defend them.

Kolapo Olapoju