Defence Minister sets up committee on handing over Boko Haram cleared areas

Defence Minister sets up committee on handing over Boko Haram cleared areas

By Blogger 

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammed,  has yesterday inaugurated an inter ministerial advisory

Defence Minister  (4th left), Advisory Committee Chairman,
Major General Umaru  (rtd) (middle) flanked by members
Of the 25 man Advisory Committee after the inauguration

      

committee whose task is to ensure safe handing over of areas reclaimed by Nigerian troops, from Boko Haram terrorists, to civil authorities. 

The 25-member committee headed by Retired Major General Azgaku Umaru is expected to visit the recently liberated areas of the northeastern states  to assess the feasibility or otherwise of handing over the communities for onward relocation of IDPs from their camps. 

The minister, while inaugurating the committee at the Ship House, Abuja, said FG felt it necessary to carry out the handing over exercise having been satisfied with the counter insurgency operations in the region.

"The fight against insurgency and terrorism has reached a new phase after the terrorists ' activities have been significantly reduced", said the Defence Minister.

"Therefore, it is imperative to consolidate on the gains achieved so far by restoring civil authority in the liberated areas". 

The committee which is membered by serving and retired security operatives as well as civil servants and members of the civil organizations were to work on six terms of reference as specified by the Minister.

The terms of reference are that the committee should "ascertain areas liberated from the terrorists by own forces; confirm the presence of civil populace in these areas; confirm the presence of Law Enforcement agencies at those locations and their capacity to protect civilians; access the potentials of government support to the security and law enforcement agencies in the face of attacks by insurgents; access the presence and potentials of Civillian JTF and other vigilante groups to provide intelligence to the security agencies; and to consult with the state government, traditional and religious leaders, heads of the security agencies and the intelligence community.

He added that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is working round the clock to ensure that basic infrastructure are provided in the liberated areas and for security agencies to move quickly and dominate such areas prior to relocation of the people to their towns and continue with their normal life. 

Adding that "government is concerned about the living conditions of the IDPs in camps in the country". 

The Chairman of the committee, Major General Umaru said in his response that though the task is enormous his committee will work with all diligence and commitment to ensure they deliver on the assigned duty.