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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has vowed to track down the killers of members of the vigilance group, popularly called ‘Civilians JTF’, women and children in Dawashi and Mainok villages of Borno State on Saturday.
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The DHQ disclosed this in a statement signed by the director of Defence Information, Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade, in Abuja yesterday.
Olukolade said the incidents which followed separate attacks on the group and the two communities were consistent with the new pattern of operations by the insurgents after the loss of their camps, saying that this practice of laying ambush or attacking innocent civilians by terrorists lately was meant to intimidate Nigerians who had rejected the activities of terrorists in their communities.
The statement said that the attacks were unprovoked, and that the manhunt for the culprits was in progress with the deployment additional troops and equipment .
According to him, “The Special Forces have been directed to ensure that the perpetrators of the recent incidents are tracked down and the manhunt for them is in progress accordingly. Meanwhile, more troops and equipment are being deployed into the operation to ensure better coverage and protection of communities in the operational area.
“All citizens are enjoined to maintain high level of vigilance and continue to cooperate with security forces in the operation. Members of the vigilance group in particular are being counselled to endeavour to work only under the strict guidance and protection of the security forces on ground in their localities.”
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Ola Ibrahim, has said that the emerging security challenges in the country required a new approach in military leadership.
Ibrahim said this while delivering a graduation lecture entitled “New Approach to Leadership for the Nigerian Armed Forces” for the Course 21 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja yesterday.
He said for the military to effectively tackle the current security challenges in the country, there was the need for the leaders to do their best as the public is watching. According to the CDS, It is an established fact that good leadership is vital to the success of any organisation including the Nigerian Armed Forces.
``Inability of some commanders to perform could be attributable to lack of adequate attention to some details by the leaders.
``We should all know that military education cannot be complete without exploiting the attributes of a leader. For a military leader to succeed, the guiding principles of leadership are important,” he said.
Ibrahim said that such principles include understanding, trust, communication and a sense of responsibility, adding that no leader can rise above the collective intellects of the people he leads. He added that for the participants to succeed as leaders, they must carry along the people they lead.
The CDS said military leaders must put across their intention for understanding as that was one of the principles of leadership and command. He stressed that trust was vital as it was a prerequisite , saying that good leaders and commanders must understand their subordinates.
The CDS, however, listed the challenges of military leadership, which include budgetary constraints, poor service knowledge, non-adherence to regimentation, and poor attitudinal change.
Ibrahim said that to overcome the challenges of military leadership, there must be adequate funding as well as adherence to regimentation and acquaintance with service knowledge.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, also speaking at the event noted that to sustain economic growth and development in Africa, there must be good leadership.
