How we ensured Shekau never issued threats again

The immediate past National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has spoken of how the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan facilitated the acquisition of hitherto elusive weaponry in the last one year, recovered over 22 local government areas that had been occupied by Boko Haram terrorists and how they ensured Shekau never issued threats again.

Sambo who has been a subject of media focus since his homes in Abuja and Sokoto were invaded by operatives of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) barely days after he left office and on the eve of Eid -Fitri 2015.

The former NSA named some of the deciding acquisitions which changed the tide in the war against Boko Haram terrorists as Alpha jets, Armoured Personnel Carriers, MRAP vehicles, Advanced artillery pieces, assorted arms and ammunitions, highly sophisticated surveillance drones, T72 multi-purpose tanks, and the re-modification of F7 supersonic jet fighters.

Speaking in Abuja to an online news outfit, Dasuki said, “The armored tanks have comprehensive NBC protection system, just as we deployed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that we bought and could withstand improvised explosive device (IED) attacks and ambushes. The vehicles had protected our troops from the land mine threats.

“We are glad that we also provided assorted Armoured Personnel Carriers to transport troops to the battlefield. They are armed for self-defence and to provide protection from attacks from shrapnel and small arms fire.

“All these were acquired in the last one year after years of frustration by Western powers that denied us of the equipment and sabotage of our efforts to acquire same from other sources which were reasons for some delay in delivery.”

He said some other arms already paid for by the previous administration are due to be delivered soon.

“It was unfortunate that some elements were frustrating the efforts as we even had to query some suppliers for delay in delivery of arms and ammunitions,” he added.

The former NSA further said, “We utilized some of these equipment to recover more than 22 local governments under Boko Haram terrorists and ensured that Shekau did not disrupt the 2015 election as he had threatened. Not only did we ensure that the elections were peaceful, Shekau has never spoken to threaten anyone again since then.”

Responding to critics of past administration on security issues, he said: “In attempt to rubbish individuals for whatever reasons, political or otherwise, we should be careful not to rubbish sensitive institutions and their personnel that might still be in active the service.

“It is unfortunate that some elements hide under the cover of anonymity in the media to rubbish some of the sacrifices we made. They should the take the courage to come out publicly by identifying themselves with their baseless allegations.”