RESPONDING TO TERROR ATTACKS IN MAIDUGURI : Miltary Despatch Senior Officers To Maiduguri To Assess Extent Of Boko Haram Attack ... CKNAfrica

The Defence headquarters has despatched a team of senior military officers to Maiduguri to assess the extent of damage in the early monday morning attack on the Airforce base which claimed a large number of lives and damaged three military helicopters.

The supervising Minister of Defence, Labaran Maku disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for 2014 Armed forces remembrance day celebration.

Maku announced that the military is intensifying recruitment and training in order to confront the insurgency to its logical conclusion.

According to Maku, insurgencies of this type are not easy to combat, while the military is doing everything possible.

The minister assured all Nigerians that the defence headquarters is on top of the situation, as the military is facing a group of stubborn criminals who are hell bent on distabilising the country.

“As I am talking to you, the Armed Forces headquarters are in Maiduguri to give us details of what happened,” he said.

The Minister announced that the government is setting up a foundation to cater for the needs of fallen heroes and pensioners and that details will be announced when the plans are ready.

Also, he said that President Goodluck Jonathan has directed an increase in the military pensions adding that all issues relating to payment of pensions without delay have been addressed.

He noted that the Armed Forces Rememberance Day celebration 2014 is a special one because it coincides with Nigeria’s centenary celebration, hence the theme has been provided to underscore the contributions of the Armed forces to global peace and security in the last 100years.

The theme is,”100 years contributions of the armed forces to Global/ National peace and security” and the AFRDC 2014 also affords the country the opportunity to recognise the sacrifice of the military in keeping Nigeria one and united.

The celebration kicks off on 10 December 2013 with the launching of the Emblem and Appeal Fund by President Goodluck Jonathan, and ends on January 15 with wreath laying ceremony at the National Arcade/ Cenotaph.