Buratai: Sambisa forest is as big as Enugu

Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, on Thursday said Sambisa forest, stronghold of the Boko Haram sect in Borno state, is as big as Enugu state.

Speaking at the headquarters of the 82 division of the Nigerian army in Enugu, Buratai identified thorough logistics and adequate manpower as requirements for completely dislodging the insurgents

“We are already in Sambisa forest, but Sambisa is as big as Enugu state, which needs thorough planning for logistics and other manpower needed,” he said.

“That accounts for the delay in flushing out the insurgents.”

He also said the military would investigate alleged killings of members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“The alleged incident of killing of MASSOB, IPOB members by the army in Aba will be investigated.

“Since my appointment, we have set out to build a professionally responsible army in the discharge of its constitutional role, which is the result of what we are seeing today.

“We have taken steps to ensure that education within the army is paramount to ensure that troops operate within the rules of engagement.”

Buratai, who is currently on a tour of military formations across the country, visited Edo and Oyo states earlier in the week.