*Over 100,000 insurgents surrender
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Theater Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai North East, Major General Ibrahim Ali has said that over 100,000 Boko Haram insurgents have voluntarily surrendered to the military within the six months of his leadership at the theater command.
General Ali disclosed this yesterday, while handing over the mantle of leadership of the theater command at the Maimalari Containment Maiduguri to his successor, Major General Gold Chibusi who was deployed from Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Njamainah, Chad Republic to the theater command as the new Theater Commander.
He added that a lot of successes were achieved despite the few challenges that the military is being confronted with during his six months stay leading to the rescue and release of two NGO workers and three Chibok schoolgirls from the captivity of the boko haram insurgents while 8 additional boko haram insurgents voluntarily surrendered and laid down their arms to the security agencies on Wednesday this week.
He thanked officers and soldiers of the theater command for their followership and understanding while commending the loyal and cooperation that they accorded during the various operations that were carried out across the north east and lake chad region.
General Ali further appealed to them to extend the loyalty and cooperation to his successor which led to the various achievements while advising the sector and unit commanders of the theater command to continue to be vigilant and disciplined as well carry out regular trainings for themselves and the soldiers with a view to end the crisis.
He also called on the commanders to take the issue of welfare of their soldiers more seriously as a motivating factor towards encouraging the soldiers to put in their best in the fight and end the war.
The outgoing theater commander urged the new Theater Commander to endeavour to.mainatain the tempo of successes recorded and bold on the achievements recorded so far as an experienced and professional senior military officer who has the knowledge of the state and theater command having served as Bama Brigade Commander in the past.
Earlier on Wednesday night, a send off ceremony was organized for the outgoing Theater Commander at the Maimalari Officer Mess where senior military officers and commanders commended his leadership style and appreciated his followership with officers and soldiers of the theater command headquarters during his stay and wished him success in his new post.
The new Theater Commander, Maj. Gen. Gold Chibusi however in his remark assured the officers and soldiers of the theater command that he will continue the good work his predecessor has started and even build on it with their support, loyalty and cooperation.
He also pledged to establish a synergy among all the commands, units and teams of the theater command with a view to finish the war and restore permanent peace in the state and region at large.
Highlights of the events include gifts presentation to the top senior officers redeployed from the theater command and group photographs as well as change of guard.
