Ex-Police Boss Attributes Troops Success Against Insurgency To Buhari’s Knowledge Of War

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, has attributed the recent “successes” of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country, to President Muhammadu Buhari’s deep knowledge and experience in asymmetric warfare.

Tsav, who stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, also commended the president and the country’s armed forces over what he described as “finally turning the heat against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists at a time when many had given up on the possibility of defeating them.”

According to him, the series of victories have restored peace in the North East, and as a result, have also given hope to the people, adding that in a short while, the region would be permanently cleared of terrorists activities.

Tsav, in making an assessment of developments in the Northeast, maintained that any military operation that wants to be successful must be as a result of careful planning and sophisticated strategies at the highest level.

He said those who are of the opinion that the current series of successes being recorded against the terrorists were mere happenstances should perish the thought as he explained that military expeditions and conquests do not come by happenstance but through thorough planning and rigorous execution of strategic plans.

The former police boss further threw more light on happenings in the northeast, saying people were not aware that it was the commander- in-chief of the armed forces that coordinates and determines the structure, approach, strategy and results on the battlefield.

This, Tsav said is the reason why every planning starts with the commander- in -chief while he is also briefed from time to time to ensure that the overall operation does not go out of plan.

Tsav said in the case of Nigeria, President Buhari had had the privilege to observe what was going on at the Lake Chad region before he became President. 

“You will recall there was a time during the last administration, when it was said that the insurgents named him as one of those to negotiate on their behalf. 

“That was the height of insult on the experience, integrity and person of Buhari and when they saw that they couldn’t make anything out of that attempt to blackmail him, he was almost killed while being driven in Kaduna,” he said.

The former commissioner of police said the president has been a thoroughbred professional while in the army who can process and interprete sensitive security information in fractions of seconds.

“That was why the first thing he did on assuming office as president was to order a relocation of the military command to the theatres of war which began to yield results leading to the technical defeat of the insurgents and the retaking of all the 20 local government areas the insurgents had captured in less than three months. 

Tsav said the push button for Buhari which has continued to yield results is the identification of committed and devoted officers to man the three arms of the armed forces followed by the incentives given to the military high command to achieve the feat. 

He said it was to the credit of Buhari that men like the chief of army staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who not only are thoroughbred professionals, but also understand the terrain, were appointed. 

Tsav said it is worth mentioning that this is the best time for Nigerian troops as they have regained the confidence of the people and the international community by the feat they have recorded in the last three months. 

He said in the last three months since Gen. Buratai relocated to Northeast, it has been reported that no less than  700 of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists including their top commanders have been silenced while large cache of their arms have either been seized or destroyed.

“These are no mean feats considering that the insurgents have been out there for more than 10 years and have acquired sophisticated weapons as well.

“The clinical efficiency with which the insurgents have been taken out shows clearly that there is superiority in tactics and strategies from the top and this is where I commend President Buhari, Buratai and all the service chiefs.”

He urged all Nigerians to support what Buhari and the military are doing for lasting peace to return to the country and for meaningful development to be achieved.