Killing Of Army Colonel In Borno: Osun Monarch Says Boko Haram Spying On Troops

The Olowu of Kuta in Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun state, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has urged the Nigerian Military to encourage residents of Borno State to give intelligence to troops about Boko Haram insurgents.

The monarch was reacting to the death of Colonel D.C. Bako, one of the commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian Army in Borno State, in an ambush staged by Boko Haram.

Describing the incident as a national tragedy, the Oba, in a statement, said he received the news with shock and deep sorrow. He therefore, condoled with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai and the entire Nigerian Army on the loss.

He called on the military to induce residents of the areas of their operations to get useful information which would assist them to win the war.

He also urged the residents of Borno State and other states in the North to support the military in their war against the insurgents.

The Olowu said, “The fact that the colonel was said to have died in an ambush called for concern because an ambush suggested that the enemy knew of the move by our officers and men.”

The monarch prayed for the repose of the soul of the dead and called on Borno elders and the generality of the people to actively support the efforts of the military to put an end to insurgency in that corridor. “Enough is enough,” he said.

He said, ‘ inducement of locals for credible Intelligence should be used as a strategy and anyone caught spying on troops should be treated like mutineers.”

Recall that the Nigerian Army announced on Monday that Col. Bako was killed on Sunday at about 10 a.m by Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush against him and his men.

The traditional ruler recently reacted to the Senate’s call for the resignation of the service chiefs reminding the lawmakers that the problem the country faced demanded experience which he said the current military leaders had been using effectively against the insurgents.