Borno state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha has described the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff as the best thing that has ever happened to Borno state, adding that there is hope that the fight against Boko Haram will soon come to an end.

Zannah stated this during his visit with the new Chief of Army Staff to military formations in Konduga local government, a local government known to be hot spot of confrontation between the Nigerian Forces and the Islamic Boko Haram sect.

According to the deputy governor, “Perhaps this is the first time we are having a Service Chief from Borno and I believe it is deliberately done by Mr. President who wants you to come and rescue your own people. It is now in our own court to rescue the people of Borno, the northeast and Nigeria in general and to restore the desired and needed peace in this country.”
The Deputy Governor also commended the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Nigerian Army, stating that, “It is also the first time that we are having a very good and commendable GOC out of all the GOC’s that served in Borno. Without mincing words, I can say that this GOC has collaborated with us as a government and under his command, the military are working together with the civil populace.”

Zannah Mustapha said, civil/military relationship is an important thing Borno needs in this operation. Adding that, the civil/military relationship is key in any operation like the Boko Haram insurgency because in terms of information dissemination, the military needs the civilian population to help them achieve creditably in their strategies.

“Most of the information we have received from the civil populace are mostly 80 percent correct and they have helped the military to achieve results in the operation. Your presence in Yobe state and in Borno today has given us a new hope that very soon this insurgency will be a thing of the past. I believe the people of Borno are praying for all of you and will continue to support and provide all that is needed in our capacity as a people and government to ensure your success in this operation.”

While expressing happiness for the time the Army Chief took to spend the Sallah holiday with his troops, he said the coming of the Army Chief has boosted the morale of the troops in Borno.