Mali-trained terrorists are trooping into the country – Army chief

by Akan Ido

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubike Ihejirika, has confirmed the influx of Mali-trained terrorists in Nigeria.

Ihejirika who confirmed this on Thursday while speaking at the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji, Kaduna State, said the Nigerian security apparatus is doing everything to track them down.

“We are aware that most of the terrorists in this country today were trained in Mali.

“We are also aware that as of yesterday, there was still an influx of some chaps trained in Mali into the country,” he said.

He reportedly spoke about the participation of Nigerian troops in the peacekeeping efforts currently going on in Mali saying, “Nigeria will  not only be supporting the resolution of the international community, but also enhancing its own security and that of its immediate neighbours by undertaking  this operation.

“What we are going into could be described as peace enforcement; that is to bring peace with the use of force. And as to whether the operation will be conventional or insurgent,  the troops should have a mixture of both because of the characters of the rebels.”

When asked about the preparations made for the welfare of the soldiers taking part in the peace enforcement mission, the COAS assured the public that that has been taken care of.

“We have solved this problem (of welfare) some years back by ensuring that every soldier is paid through the bank.  So, before soldiers move for a mission, they open accounts in which a certain percentage of their allowances   are  paid into while they are given some stipends. With this, the issue of welfare will  never  arise,” he assured.

Ihejirika said that the country was embarking on the mission to complement ongoing efforts to ensure  peace and stability in the crisis-ravaged Mali and asked the 900 soldiers who underwent a  four- week  pre-deployment training at the NAPKC to be resolute, dedicated and disciplined.