“Our operation has been a success.”—JTF spokesman

What is your assessment of the success of the ongoing operation?

The whole essence of the operation is to get rid of the miscreants who have been holding the country ransom; and you will agree with me that security is one important issue for the establishment of sociopolitical stability anywhere in the world.

We are poised to eliminate and exterminate all criminals parading themselves as freedom fighters. As a responsible security outfit, we cannot fold our hands and watch some bunch of lads hold the economic prosperity of the region.

The operation has been extremely successful and we have been able to dismantle the arms of these notorious militants which they were using to terrorise innocent people.

Also, judging by the rescue of hostages, the operation as been successful. We have been able to free different sets of captured Ukrainians and Filipinos who have all now returned to their countries.

Are you really going to go all the way to clear all militants’ camps across the Delta?

Yes, we will. There has being reports that we are extending the exercise, but we are not going about it the way it is being reported. We are extending this operation by aiming for anybody who constitutes a security risk to the nation and they will be dealt with. Our targets are the militants and we will flush them out.

Reports say the number of missing troops has increased. Is this correct and what is the correct figure?

This is not true. It is just variations from different sources that are causing this. We are looking for 16 soldiers and we are not giving up the search. And just yesterday (On Tuesday) we were able to find three RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) during our search around the Gbaramatu Kingdom. To tell the level of this miscreants’ sophistication.

Critics say your troops are too harsh on civilians. What are the rules of engagement of this operation?

We have to be harsh to them. If we use simple tactics, they won’t take us seriously. These allegations are not true, but only being circulated by the enemies of Nigeria. You know the international community’s love to hear anything that has to do with the women and children being stampeded in conflict zones.

The women and children plight is not a deliberate action to strike them. No responsible soldier will strike them. But in chasing the militants, which is the major aim of the operation, these set of people will be inconvenienced. But this is not deliberate.

Please let sentiment be put aside in this issue. Our operations have been selective and carried out on intelligence information, not as if we strike at random. Yesterday (on Tuesday), a team of the international community of Red Cross visited Oporaza and adjoining communities and what they saw confirmed the JTF position that not everywhere was bombed as a result of the operation and even the displaced people are few—just about a hundred.

What are the rules of engagement?

We are here primarily to maintain peace and security for the overall socioeconomic activity of the region and [for] the country as a whole to thrive better.

Is the JTF operation controlled by the Defence Headquarters of the Presidency?

We are all military officers and our operation is controlled by the military high command.

Sir, my question is: Who controls the JTF operations, is it the military headquarters of the Presidency?

Yes, I heard you and I replied that the military high command is controlling the operation. Let’s leave it at that.

Under which condition will the JTF put an end to this current operation?

If we get our men, we will call off the operation.

But will the operation be called off when you find your men without the elimination of the militants?

Let’s first find them first and we know where to go from there. People who wish Nigeria well will support this operation. Patriotic Nigerians will admit that the action we took is timely and appropriate. We should do what we need to do to move us forward. We should be extremely patriotic and we should be commended from what we have done because at the end of this, we will all laugh and at the end of this operation we will have a peaceful country.