
Defence Headquarters, Tuesday called on Nigerians not to be frightened 
by the rising terrorist attacks in the Northern part of the country and 
the alleged threat to move into the South-West region, assuring that the
 sect was fighting its last battle, as they would be defeated in no 
distant time.
The new Director, Defence Information, Brigadier-General Chris 
Olukolade, said this in Abuja in his first meeting with Defence 
Correspondents.
The Army boss also dismissed the purported retirement of the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim.
He said, “What we are witnessing of recent from Boko Haram , I 
personally see as mere desperation. It is generally said that a battle 
becomes very hot when it is about to end. It is, therefore, obvious that
 this is the last fight by Boko Haram. From the way they have been 
working and the expectation from the headquarters, the fight against 
terrorism is coming to an end. Whatever is happening, the end of 
terrorism in Nigeria has come.
“Since its establishment, the JTF has identified and destroyed many 
IED factories, recovered large quantities of arms, ammunitions and IED 
materials, arrested most of their leaders and followers. They have also 
been able to identify and repatriate illegal immigrants from Niger, 
Chad, and Mali, among others.
“The efforts of the JTF have, to a large extent, made Maiduguri and 
its environs uncomfortable for Boko Haram. Some of the citizens who left
 Maiduguri at the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency are now gradually 
returning. In the past few weeks, there was the destruction of Boko 
Haram identified camps at Sambisa and Demboa games reserves.”
On the purported retirement of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olukolade 
debunked the assertion and urged the media to avoid sensational news and
 stories that could cause disaffection in the military.
His words: “The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, 
has not, under any circumstance, sought or asked for permission of the 
President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to voluntarily retire
 from active service, as reported by some national dailies and online 
reporters.
These media outfits, some of which are quoting an online news sites 
or other anonymous sources, did not bother to check for facts before 
embarking on this dangerous sensational report, which is capable of 
inciting insecurity in the country.
“This is very unfortunate, especially as it went on to paint a 
scenario that portrays power struggle within the services, apparently 
with a view to undermining the cohesiveness of the leadership of the 
armed forces. Admiral Ibrahim remains committed to serving the nation to
 the best of his ability in his capacity as the Chief of Defence Staff 
of the most vibrant Armed Forces of sub-Sahara Africa,” he added.