The Nigerian military has finalised plans to conduct a “once and for all comprehensive operations” towards the elimination of Boko Haram terrorists in the parts of North-East to the borders of neighbouring countries. International media and satellite images suggest that areas presently under Boko Haram occupation could already be as large as Belgium.

PRNigeria quotes competent sources as disclosing in Abuja that political authorities “which now feel so disturbed by the activities of the terrorists especially after viewing the latest video release from the terror group which claimed that it already has enough weapons to take on Nigeria and its neighbours, have endorsed the military plan and expressed full support for it.”

According to the source, “the determined onslaught has also received the assurance of cooperation and support of Cameroon, Niger and Chad, which have now realised the danger posed by continuing to allow terrorists free movement across the borders.”

The source is quoted as saying: “Nigerian military is reviewing its strategy in the combat against terrorists to accommodate joint and combined operations with neighbouring military organisations. Massive deployment of air and amphibious assets are expected to feature in the operation. Preparatory to this mission, the Defence Headquarters has changed the General Officer Commanding the 7 Division which is the leading formation in the counter-terrorism campaign.

“The deployment for the mission is expected to facilitate the elimination of safe havens and escape routes of terrorists in or out of Nigeria. The arrangement has enlisted the support of the military forces of neighbouring countries towards ensuring that the plan to effectively block the terrorists for elimination while they are being pounded in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign is effectively attained.”

PRNigeria says the operation will commence very soon and is expected to terminate well before the February 14 elections so that Nigerians living in every part of the country can vote in their towns and villages.

“However, it is expected that innocent citizens living in the areas where the terrorists presently operate are expected to have temporarily vacated any area infested by terrorists for safe towns away from the theatre of operations,” the report says.

According to PRNigeria, “When contacted for confirmation of this story, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, declined to give details. In a terse response, he simply declared that the military would not relent in its efforts to restore peace to every part of the country as quickly as possible but that details of such efforts would not be disclosed now.

“He however admitted that all the countries bordering Nigeria are willing to compliment the efforts in Nigeria as terrorism has remained a menace or threat to all in the region.”

•Photo shows Nigerian troops on the offensive against Boko Haram.

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