Reshuffle Your GOCs, Commanders to Defeat Boko Haram, Banditry – Primate Ayodele Urges Army Chief

Reshuffle Your GOCs, Commanders to Defeat Boko Haram, Banditry – Primate Ayodele Urges Army Chief 

By Adeola Oluwole 

Founder and Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on the Chief of Army Staff to carry out a minor reshuffle of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and other key commanders to strengthen the fight against Boko Haram insurgency and banditry.

Speaking at the church’s international headquarters in Ejigbo, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the cleric commended the army chief’s resolve to “fight Boko Haram to the finish” and predicted the introduction of fresh strategies to combat terrorism.

Primate Ayodele urged the military to pay particular attention to Benue, Borno, Katsina, and Yobe States, warning that terrorists might also attempt to infiltrate Kwara State to cause unrest.

He maintained that Boko Haram would “soon fizzle out” if the military sustains the pressure, particularly through intensified airstrikes from now until October — operations he believes will eliminate many insurgents and bandits.

“Boko Haram are not spirits; they are humans,” Ayodele said, assuring the Chief of Army Staff of divine protection for him and his troops. He cautioned, however, against complacency, noting that saboteurs might attempt to undermine military efforts.

The cleric concluded with a charge to the army to “buckle up for a higher assignment” in the months ahead, expressing confidence that Nigeria’s security forces will prevail in restoring peace to affected regions.