Nigerian military says new command center to boost war on terror

Nigeria's military said Wednesday that the newly established Military Command and Control Center (MCCC) in the restive northeast state of Borno will be equipped with high-tech facilities to boost the war against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Modern communication facilities will take at least 21 days to be fully installed at the command center, said army spokesman Col Sani Kukasheka Usman in a statement reaching Xinhua.

Installation of hi-tech equipment, infrastructural development of the Center and posting of additional operations staff have also commenced, he said.

"With the establishment of the Center, all strategic and operational decisions on the fight against terrorism and insurgency would emanate from the MCCC. This will ensure faster response time; improve situational awareness and better coordination of all stakeholders," Usman added.

According to him, the center will also give the needed impetus that would ensure successful conclusion of the war against terrorism.

He said the command center will also provide the required interface between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and Multinational Joint Task Force to be deployed at the Lake Chad Basin area at the end of the month of July 2015.

President Muhammdau Buhari signaled a new approach to subduing the Boko Haram insurgency when he directed the central command of the military to relocate to Maiduguri, Borno, from the federal capital, Abuja.

Buhari, who gave the directive in his address after his inauguration, said it was impossible to achieve victory against the insurgents if the command continued to operate from Abuja.

He said the command center would relocate and remain in Maiduguri until the insurgents were subdued.

He appealed for patience from Nigerians to enable his administration to settle down and face the challenges in the nation. Endi