Intelligence Gathering, Understanding The Terrain Is Key In Fighting Terrorism- Buratai

A former chief of army staff , Gen TY Buratai retd, has said intelligence gathering and understanding the terrain are two key factors in fighting terrorism.

Buratai, who spoke on the Arise News current affairs programme monitored in Lagos on Tuesday, said the Boko Haram was running riot everywhere, destroying bridges, taking territory, before he was appointed in 2015.

He, however, said the complete approach of fighting insurgency is not only through the military operations.

He said:” As you will recall that the country faced enormous security challenges between 2009 and 2015 when I was appointed. The complete approach of defeating the insurgents will be through kinetics and non kinetics approaches. I would have loved that the military would continue with the military intelligence that I enjoyed between 2019 and 2020.

“We followed the terrorists and we were able to arrest some of their collaborators; like those supplying them with arms, food vendors, and financiers.He added that some were nabbed through the collaboration with the NFIU.

“But you know that intelligence gathering is not strictly for the military. It’s a complex network that involves the ISIS in the Mangreb.Reeling out his achievements, Gen Buratai said the Boko Haram had bombed the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja, Thisday’s office, and several local governments in Borno were under the control of the terrorists which he dislodged.

” We reclaimed all the areas under the control of Boko Haram in Borno and drove away . We had to request for the policemen to occupy where we had cleared so that the troops can advance to clear more grounds”, he said.

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic said he was optimistic that he left capable hands in the army that are equal to the task.