The former Chief of Army of Staff, Tukur Buratai, has disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast were defeated as a result of the combined efforts of the military and locals in the region.

Addressing newsmen on Friday, Buratai stated that the northeast understood how crucial it was to eliminate the terrorists, hence their cooperation.

According to him, the tables were turned around when the hearts of the residents were won, leading to them aiding the military in the fight against the insurgents.

“Winning the hearts and minds of the local population was a major event that turned the tables against the insurgents because it saw the emergence of the reinvigorated joint civil-military operations task force, which is a joint task force composed of military operational formations from more than one service.

Speaking further, Buratai noted that the coordination of the civil and humanitarian activities was facilitated by the region to help further the operations of the military.

“It assisted the joint force commander in humanitarian or national-assistance operations, theatre campaigns, or civil-military operations occurring concurrently.”