The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai recently left Abuja in continuation of his familiarization and operational tours of Nigerian Army formations and units. JIBRIN BABA NDACE who was on the entourage writes on the positive impact of the tour
For one week, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai went on what some have tagged “a marathon tour of various formations and units”, meeting with layers of stakeholders within the barracks community-from soldiers to officers to NAOWA, NASWA to Magajiyas, community, traditional and religious leaders as well as IDPs.
Issues that run through his address and interactions with various stakeholders include, but not limited to, vision for a professionally responsive Nigerian Army, loyalty to constituted authority, commitment to duty, discipline, professionalism, welfare (accommodation, medicare, school enrolement for children of soldiers) and infrastructural development. Other highlights include support for the Nigerian Army in all its operations, especially the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists, accountability in deployment of resources, uniform for personnel, fitness of officers and soldiers, inter and intra –agency cooperation, civil-military cooperation, training, logistics, combat readiness of troops and advice to soldiers stay out of politics.
His first point of call was I Division, Nigerian Army, Ribadu cantonment Kaduna. While in Kaduna he interacted with members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (WASWA) and the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA). He thanked them for keeping the home front and urged them to continue to support their husbands through legitimate business. He assured wives and officers and soldiers of the continued support of the Nigerian Army and called on them to maintain barracks values. “It is not easy to stay without your husbands, but it is part of the sacrifice to the nation. Nigerian Army will continue to support you to take care of the home front.”
He stated his vision for the Nigerian Army and ways to accomplish the attainment of the vision. The COAS also used the opportunity to inform them of his effort so far since his assumption of command of the Army that borders on provision of training, their welfare and logistics. He also afford them the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions in which he responded with answers and directives to their satisfaction
While addressing the troops of the Division, General Buratai told them that their colleagues in the North-east were doing well and urged them to remain loyal to constituted authority. He assured them of improvement of their welfare needs. “I want you to remain 100% loyal to your commanders, Constituted authority and President and Commander-in-chief. Your position as soldier is very sacred in defence and protection of the nation.”
While addressing officers of I Division, COAS said the essence of the visit was to ‘keep the bound’ of esprit de corp and to formally meet them. He warned them to stay out of politics and drew attention to repercussion of such act. “You must remain apolitical. As you are aware, we have already set up panel of inquiry on Osun/Ekiti elections in order to look at involvement of officers. This will be done without fear or favour. ”
He called on officers to ensure inter-agency cooperation noting that it was vital to winning the war on insurgency and urged them to be their brother’s keeper.
From Kaduna, COAS proceeded to Jos, Plateau State where he addressed both soldiers and officers of the 3 Division and Special Task Force, Operation Save Haven (STF OP) at Maxwell Khobe Military Cantonment. While addressing the soldiers, he assured them of commitment of Nigerian Army to their welfare and urged them to be professional in their conduct. Just like what transpired in 1 Division, both officers and soldiers asked questions on issues that bothered them in which he offered answers and gave directives. The COAS also took time off and interacted with WASWA members and the Cantonment’s Magajiyas. While addressing the officers, he urged them to be professional as the last hope of Nigeria. “You must not allow sentiment to becloud your judgement.”
From Jos, Lieutenant General Buratai went straight into the combat zone, first to Damaturu, Yobe State where he inspected the Army Headquarters Logistics Base III and was conducted round the facility by the Commander. Earlier on arrival at the Base, he also addressed both officers and soldiers of the unit. He commended the troops for their bravery and urged them to remain steadfast. He assured them of commitment of the Nigerian Army to their welfare and logistics need necessary to winning war on Boko Haram terrorists.
Subsequently, he went to the tactical headquarters of 3 Division which was moved from Yola to Damaturu based on COAS previous directive. He was briefed by the General Officer Commanding the Division, Major General Hassan Umaru on the formation’s efforts in the fight against Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency. Thereafter he visited 233 Battalion locations.
The Chief of Army Staff was also at the headquarters of the newly formed 29 Task Force Brigade where he addressed officers and soldiers of the formation. In his address, he exhorted them to be courageous, steadfast and responsive in the task ahead. He reiterated that the days of Boko Haram terrorism were numbered urging them be part of those elements that would accomplish that task.
“I comment your effort and urge you to remain steadfast. You must remain steadfast, courageous and responsive so that you will be part of those that would accomplish the task of defeating Boko Haram terrorist.
” He said Nigerian Army is better trained and have more experience in combat and therefore have all it takes to defeat ‘bunch of criminals in the name of Boko Haram’.
General Buratai thereafter proceeded to visit the locations of 154,155 and 156 Battalions, as well as 273 Tank Battalion and other deployments under the new Brigade where he was briefed by the Brigade Commander and the various Commanding Officers.
He equally addressed the troops in Benisheik where he welcome them to the theatre and enjoined them to do the nation proud by routing out Boko Haram enclaves within their areas of operations. “Nigerians are proud of you, President and commander-in-chief is proud of you. You must not disappoint Nigerians. You must defeat this bunch of criminals in the name of Boko Haram terrorists.”
Typical of Chief of Army Staff’s style he veered off in Kukareta where he interacted with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were from Damboa and other areas. During the interaction, visibly elated IDPs, thanked the COAS for all his efforts and prayed for him and the nation.
As part of the visit, he went to Mubi where he visited troops of 28 Task Force Brigade and also paid courtesy call on the Emir of Mubi. At the Headquarters of 28 Task Force Brigade, he was briefed by Brigade Commander, addressed officers and soldiers and thereafter visited the Emir of Mubi, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Doctor) Abubakar Ibrahim.
On Wednesday, 28th October 2015, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, also presented a paper titled “Contemporary Warfare and War Reporting: The Dilemma of Military Leadership” at the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ Third Quarter 2015 Study Period held at the Youth and Vocational Centre, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. The lecture elicited lots of interest and comments from journalists and participants due to its topical nature. Some of the suggestions made by participants were the need for increased synergy between the military and media, as well as to allow for the decentralisation of information dissemination especially at theatre level, amongst others.
The COAS also launched an Ani-Boko Haram terrorists Campaign material at the occasion which was shared out to key persons at the venue which included commanders, media executives, journalists and government officials. He also declared the Directorate of Army Public Relations 3rd Quarter 2015 Study Period closed.
The following day, along with Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Abubakar Siddique, was briefed by the Theatre Commander, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General YM Abubakar on the recent successes since last directives and future plans. Similarly, Air Commodore Amao of the Nigerian Air Force presented a brief on the activities of the Nigerian Air Force and its future plans in support of the operations to the Service Chiefs.
The Chief of Army Staff continues his visit to other formations and units in the frontlines within the northeast under Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
In continuation of his operational visits to formations and units particularly those within the Area of Responsibility of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, on Friday 30th October 2015 also visited troops of 21 Brigade at Bama, Borno State. Recall that the gallant troops liberated Bama from the criminal Boko Haram terrorist on 16 March 2015.
In his address to the troops, the COAS reminded them of their mandate and deadline to clear the pockets of Boko Haram terrorists within their Area of Responsibility before the end of December which he strongly believes is possible looking at their high spirit.
He also urged them to always be alert. In his words, “Nigerians are proud of you, Mr President is proud of you, we must continue to make them proud as you are better trained and better equipped than the terrorists”. Highlight of the visit was the on the spot promotion and decoration of 2 soldiers of the Brigade by the COAS for their gallantry, dedication and loyalty, an event that further lifted the morale of not only the beneficiaries but the whole Brigade. The elevated soldiers include Corporal Thomas Orim of 202 Battalion and Corporal Abubakar Usman of 150 Task Force Battalion. The COAS also visited other locations of the Brigade at Konduga, Awulari and Kwanar Banki all at the fringes of Sambisa forest where he met troops in high spirit and enjoined them to continue to do their best in order to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
In all, Chief of Army Staff’s visit to formations and units in Nigerian Army formations both in and outside the combat zone focused not just on infrastructural needs of officers, soldiers and barracks community, but on morale boosting demands such as instant solutions to problems of promotion of soldiers, clear directive on welfare and logistics needs such as Medicare, school enrolment for children of personnel among others. Above all, COAS has imbued the troops with new can-do spirit with his signature press-ups which has become common scene at all formations and units visited both in and outside the combat zone.
Some officers and soldiers who spoke with Blueprint on condition of anonymity said in their over two decades in the Nigerian Army they have never seen an Army chief who has imbued troops with fighting spirit like Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. “I have been in Nigerian Army for over two decades and I can tell you that General Buratai is different in both style and substance. He listens to all and solve problems heads-on. ”
