Nigerian Soldiers Almost Captured Shekau – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Tukur Buratai, has commended the Nigerian military for almost “achieving the directive” to capture elusive Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, within 40 days.

Buratai applauded the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Ibrahim Attahiru, after his team eliminated “82 Boko Haram terrorists” within the expired ultimatum.

The COAS, in a statement by Director of Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, said he has since approved the request by Attahiru to extend the deadline for Shekau’s capture.

The statement, however, did not disclose duration of the deadline.

“Although the leader (of Boko Haram) has not been captured, the COAS noted with satisfaction the zeal and determination with which the directive was pursued.

“Within the same period, 82 of the Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated. Therefore, the commander was very close to achieving the directive.

“The theatre commander has asked for the extension of the deadline and it has been granted by the COAS.

“Given deadlines and extensions are strategic means of focusing troops’ efforts in the theatre. Currently the main thrust of the operations is the decapitation of all the remaining terrorists’ factions within the Nigerian territory.

“With this feat achieved, the relevance of Shekau is no longer of any consequence. The people of the NE (North East) and indeed all Nigerians are enjoined to be more confident of the Nigerian troops and go about their normal activities,” the statement read.