Boko Haram planning operations in Adamawa, says Fintiri

Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri has urged the new brigade commander, 23rd Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Mohammed Gambo, to help the state address its internal security challenge.

Brig. Gen. Gambo, is replacing Brigadier General A. M Garba, as brigade commander, 23rd Armoured Brigade, following a recent minor military reshuffle carried out by the chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Yahya Farouq.

Fintiri also disclosed members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group, are planning to re-establish their cells for operations in the state.

This was revealed by the governor when he received the newly posted Brigade Commander, 23rd Armoured Brigade.

Brigadier General Mohammed Jibrin Gambo, noted that security agencies were monitoring the development, to ensure the group never succeed in their scheme.

According to the governor, intelligence report so far revealed that two councils, which the terrorists hoped to set up their cells are in Hong and Maiha local government areas of the state.

He expressed optimism that the new brigade commander will help dismantle the cells.

He said, “Going through your previous track record of experience in the army, I believe you are capable enough to face the challenges ahead of us. We expect your cooperation, to have good synergy with the other, security agencies, so that together we can combat, crime and criminality. So that we can have a state that is safe and peaceful. We have enjoyed relative peace in the state in the last three years, and we will continue to go back to the drawing board to ensure that the state continues to be safe so that our people can go to sleep with their two eyes closed.

“I think you are coming at a very critical time, that from security report on my table, that Boko Haram are trying to establish, about two cells within the state, in the local government of Maiha and Hong.

“I am not saying they are there already but all of us know there are indications that they are trying to establish their cell in Maiha. A lot of efforts have gone within the last one or two months to dismantle them.

“And we are monitoring them and also making all necessary efforts to ensure we support all the security agencies to make our people sleep with all their eyes close and we call on you to help us to address the internal security challenge. ”

Gambo, is on his second tour of duty in the state, following his appointment by the chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Yahya Farouq, having previously served in the command as commanding officer 232 Battalion in the brigade.

His bio-data also showed several training and tours of duty in and outside Nigeria, including his role as a military observer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.