Steer Clear Of Battle Field — DHQ Warn Hunters Helping to fight Boko Haram

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, yesterday, expressly
warned local hunters to steer clear of the ongoing
military operations against the Boko Haram insurgency
group in the North East, as their presence and
contributions were fast breeding mischief and thus
becoming irrelevant to the system.
Director of Defence Information, DDI, Maj-Gen. Chris
Olukolade, who spoke with our correspondent in
Abuja,stressed that the military would however make
use of them if it becomes relevant.
There have been claims over time, especially with the
recent one in Mubi, Adamawa State, that the local
hunters were the ones prosecuting and winning the war
against the Boko Haram insurgents and reclaiming
captured towns, to spite the military.
However, General Olukolade dismissed this as totally
untrue, stating that their flimsy contributions were just
being mischievously exaggerated.
The DDI, who told Saturday Mirror that, "for as long as
they are relevant, we will continue to use them, not as if
it is a blanket offer", said that the military had several
other people it uses too as its sources, and it must not
necessarily be the local hunters.
He disclosed that the military was aware that certain
persons were merely using the contributions of the
local hunters to achieve their mischievous purposes,
which was unhealthy for the military, country and the
ongoing operations.
Olukolade, who insisted that there was nothing so
spectacular about the hunters' contributions, said that
they were only being used to get information, as well as
identify the people in the localities since they were part
of those localities.
The DHQ had earlier in the week, posted on its official
blog that the involvement of the hunters in the counter-
terrorism was misrepresented.
According to the DHQ, "All the flimsy and exaggerated
claims of hunters' exploits in the ongoing operations
are simply intended to foster a mischievous campaign
aimed at disparaging and depreciating the professional
efforts of the Nigerian military at containing the
terrorists especially in Adamawa. It is obvious that the
intention is to ridicule and discourage the military. We
are not moved.
"While appreciating the effort of the hunters and
citizens who have been supporting our troops in the
onslaught, the military still remains in the vanguard of
the mission to rid the nation of terrorists and their
activities.
We will remain focused and utilise only well-meaning
support and advice in the ongoing campaign to wipe
out terrorists."