Boko Haram: Army has engaged in spiritual warfare to fight insurgency – Gen. Buratai

The Chief of the Army General Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has said that the Army has waged a spiritual war to counter Boko Haram’s propaganda.

Latest Nigeria newspaper report that Buratai, represented by Brigadier General. Timothy Olowomeye, the Director of Military Civil Affairs, stated this at the 2019 Annual Chaplain Training Conference and Retreated on Tuesday in Sokoto.

“We were involved in a joint seminar on Spiritual Warfare as an effective means against insurgency and other forms of concern. Boko Haram and others cannot be defeated only by the kinetic military war.

“Finding appropriate counter-narratives against these violent extremist sects will be a great impetus to eradicate their negative activities in Nigeria,” he said.

Buratai said that Nigeria and the world, in general, were dealing with the harsh reality of restlessness, mainly involved in religious, economic, and political nuances.

Latest Nigeria newspaper report that These trends have caused disorder and unbridled destruction of lives and property of many innocent citizens who have continued to seek comfort in the government.

President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to offer relief and renew the hope of the country’s citizens through the tireless efforts of our Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“Therefore, we must always remember that the noble task of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and at the same time, actively participating in the help of our civil authority is our main responsibility,” said Buratai.

He said that the Army had continued to collaborate with the religious leadership in possible proactive measures to help win this fight against the various forms of concern in the country.

The COAS described the topic, “The non-kinetic force in the face of armed banditry and other security challenges: the role of military chaplains”, as very relevant in this battle.

Also, he noted that the election of the Northwest for the event meant that they were in conjunction with the government’s efforts to quell the security challenges of banditry in the region.

He called for greater collaboration between the Directorates of Military Civil Affairs (DCMA) and the three Religious Directorates in efforts to contain security challenges.

According to him, the Armed Forces have achieved great feats in the fight against insurgents, breaking their ranks and degrading their willingness to fight.

He expressed optimism that the conference would develop appropriate narratives required to counter the ideologies of religious terrorist groups.

Latest Nigeria newspaper report that Speaking also, the Coordinator, Brigadier General. Charles Chidebere said the event was in support of efforts to win the war, not with guns, but winning everyone’s hearts with deep messages of peace.

Chidebere appealed to religious leaders, tribes, communities and people in general to defend the true message of religion that included peace, tolerance and unity in words and actions.

“We must refute in the strongest possible terms all forms of extreme religious fanaticism and its security threat to the nation,” he said.

Latest Nigeria newspaper report that a series of activities were organized during the conference that ends on October 25.