Defence Minister visits Maiduguri on Buhari’s order

The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Wednesday flew to Maiduguri on President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to assess situation on ground and report to him following recent attacks in Borno North.

Dan-Ali confirmed this to newsmen after he held a two-hour crucial closed door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the Military Command and Control Centre.

Also in attendance were the Chief of Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters and Theatre Commander, Operation Lafia Dole, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo.

The senior Officers in charge of the Air Force and Navy components of the operations, as well as some field commanders attended the meeting.

Dan-Ali left for the Republic of Chad after the meeting.

He is expected to hold a meeting with his Chadian counterpart in view of recent attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists on areas bordering Chad and Nigeria.