Addressing members of course 15 of the Executive Intelligence Management Course of the Institute of Security Studies Abuja at the 301 headquarters on Monday, Mbanefor noted that the failure of authorities to adequately fund and equip the police has undoubtedly hampered its performance, hence the intervention of the military in internal security matters.

He said, “The military, which is basically trained in war and with the core mandate of protecting the sovereignty of the country against external aggression, is being overstressed in internal security matters with no room for training and retraining as required to keep troops in tune with modern war strategies.”

Commenting on the security situation in Gombe State, Mbanefor said though the state is relatively peaceful when compared to its neighbours, he noted that the threat to peace remains real. He explained that activities of political thugs, kidnapping and migration of criminal elements from other parts of the country have remained major security concerns.

He also noted that the location of the state in the centre of the North-East has been exploited by insurgents for their logistics supplies but assured that with the quality synergy among the security agencies in the state and the support of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, efforts would be sustained to secure the state.

Earlier, the Faculty spokesperson of the National Institute of Security Studies Abuja, Dr. Nka Obi-Bisong, informed the Commander that the team was in the state on a study tour to assess the impact of climate change and global warming on security and the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

In a statement released by the Nigerian Army spokesman Col. Sagir Musa on Sunday April 19, it was gathered that the terrorists were killed in northeastern Yobe state on the outskirts of Buni Gari village after Brigadier General Lawrence Araba “followed a credible lead”.

Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai reportedly felt elated after being briefed by the commander during his visit to the Field Abulance Logistic Base 3 and Special Forces’ School on Sunday.

The statement reads “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai, applauded the troops for their gallantry and resilience that led to the killing of the 105 terrorists at Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe state on Saturday the 18th of April 2020. Gen Buratai visited two officers that were wounded in action during the Buni Gari encounter and other soldiers already on admission at the medical facility in Damaturu before proceeding to the Special Forces’ School in Buni Yadi where he and his entourage were briefed on the incident by the Commander, Sector 2 OPLD, Brig Gen Lawrence Araba.  Araba informed Buratai that the recent success was as a result of intelligence report which revealed a plan by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists to attack the village. Based on intelligence received about the plan by the terrorists to attack Buni Gari, our troops swiftly intercepted and engaged the criminals in fierce battle that led to the killing of 105 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists as well as the capture of several arms and ammunition from the criminals. Initial situation reports that 10 terrorists were neutralised. However, following exploitation by our troops, a total of 105 Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals are confirmed to have met their waterloo as a result of the encounter and some of the pictures are here for you to see sir.”