The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, stated at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday that air campaigns are continuing with a view to dislodging all identified terrorist cells, enclaves or hideouts anywhere in the designated mission area.
He said there was no going back or slowing down in the operations to rout terrorists from the North-East and other parts of the country.
"Indeed, there is no going back or slowing down anywhere.
"The mandate of working towards ensuring the restoration of normalcy for socio-economic, political and other activities to resume as quickly as possible is being given all it takes toward having the mission accomplished.
"Things are working out in line with the strategic plans. A very significant number of identified terrorists’ enclaves have already been pounded and destroyed in the course of continuing air strikes.
"Ground forces are also conducting assaults along with necessary mopping up, cordon and search operations in communities and locations previously occupied by terrorists.’’
Olukolade said that the stage was also set for the conduct of subsequent phases of operations earmarked as part of the campaign.
He said that in the process, many communities have been sufficiently cleared to guarantee the return of citizens to their normal lives.
He added that the scope of the operation was being expanded to ensure that more communities were mopped up and cleaned of every vestige of terrorism.
According to him, all the towns where the activities of the terrorists are still noticeable will be duly mopped up very soon.
The defence spokesman urged Nigerians to be vigilant and conscious of their environment and be on the lookout for unrepentant terrorists, their collaborators or sympathizers.
He said terrorists and their collaborators would stop at nothing in their resolve to destroy the country and its civilisation, "hence Nigerians must watch out for them.’’
Olukolade commended Nigerians for their recent show of solidarity with the military, including staging rallies in its support.
source:news24
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