Army launches Motorbike Battalion to tackle insurgency

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Saturday unveiled a motorbike battalion to add impetus to its war on insurgency and the Boko Haram terrorist in the Northeast part of the country.

The army chief also officially re-opened the Maiduguri-Damboa road which leads to Damboa, Chibok and Biu towns which had been unusable by motorists due to constant attacks by insurgents since 2013.

Buratai, who led drivers of commercial vehicles through the road, on arriving at Damboa town, said: “This road is going to be entrusted into the hands of the Brigade Commander. I don’t want to hear of any case of attacks on innocent civilians or motorists. Our troops must be alert 24 hours to ensure that the road is kept open”.

“We must be deliberate to ensure that the road is open and that residents of this place return to their communities. I know the Borno State government is doing something and the federal government is also doing something. So once we open this road as it is open now, everyone should be able to move freely.

We will do our job to ensure that it is secured,” he said.

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Also in Damboa, Buratai launching the Motorbike Battalion of the Nigerian Army, said: “We see it as a force multiplier to the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists. This, we intend to use effectively to ensure that routes are kept safe and Boko Haram terrorists are pursued anywhere they go,” he said.

He noted that the combat motorbikes have added firepower, speed and communication gadgets.

He said that a second list of wanted Boko Haram suspects with pictures was soon to be released by the army.

“We call on the general public to look at these posters carefully and identify anyone they can see and report accordingly’’, he said.

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