By Augustine Ehikioya
A key stakeholder in Borno State security, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, has disclosed that the security situation in the State has progressively improved.
He said that his verdict is based on a close working relationship with the various communities in the State.
Prof Usman Tar therefore commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the improved security situation in the State.
He made the revelation during an exclusive interview with the Security Watch Africa (SWA) crew on a fact-finding visit to the State.
He said, “The security situation in Borno State has been improving progressively, even though from time to time, the insurgents carry out daring attacks that tend to downplay the successes of the Armed Forces.
“But those of us on the ground, those of us working directly with the communities and with the Armed Forces, know that the security situation has improved.
“The Operation HADIN KAI has done its level best in order to defeat the enemy, but like all insurgencies, they tend to look for loopholes and gaps where they attack, and that has been what is happening.”
The Commissioner added, “But we deeply appreciate the Armed Forces for all that they are doing, and we put it on record without fear or equivocation that the security situation in the State is improving progressively over time.”
Noting the importance placed on security in the State by the authorities, he said that the Chief of Army Staff has severally visited the State since assuming office.
“He has made bold statements with regards to how the soldiers should go about dealing with our common enemies. And those policies have started to yield dividends.
“But like all policies, it takes time. And their own, they don’t talk too much. They don’t reveal their battle secrets, which is very, very understandable. We too, support that. But we do discuss with them in the State Security Council meetings, and we are on course.
“And we appreciate him for all that he has been doing in order to improve our battle success,” he stated.
Speaking on the feedback he’s getting, he commended the changes introduced by the COAS, including changes in the soldiers’ allowance feeding, and accommodation.
He also praised the new policy on vigilance, adding “I think the new policy now is that they should not sleep at night. If they want to sleep, they can take turns to sleep in daytime. Even that one they should be vigilant.
“The volume of attacks on our units and the communities that they defend has reduced significantly. It has reduced because the enemy now knows that it’s very risky for them to attack our units.
“They typically attack our units in the night before because they know that in the past, soldiers sleep, or they spend their time watching the internet, or you know, Tiktok.
“They are no longer doing that anymore, as far as we know, because I have interacted very closely with a number of units. I’ve even spent days and nights, several days in some of the units. And I can tell you, that soldiers are now doing very well. They are vigilant.”
On other incentives, the Commissioner said “We are aware that the allowances have improved relative to the past. They are feeding well. We have seen the quality of food that they get is far better than in the past.
“So we commend the Chief of Army Staff for all that he has introduced and only God will reward him. And Nigeria is very, very happy with him,” he stated.
He said that the perception of the people of the soldiers has also improved.
“The perception of the common man, for them, for the soldiers, now, is better, and it’s better because they’re investing in quick-impact projects. They are also treating the civilians better than in the past.”
Prof Usman Tar also hailed the intervention of the Armed Forces in crowd control, the checkpoints, farm patrol, and escorts.
Stressing that Borno State is very big in land mass, he assured, that the state will continue to give the Armed Forces the additional support they need.
