By Sani Usman
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has reassured Nigerians that Nigerian Army is ever determined to succeed in meeting up with the set deadline of defeating Boko Haram terrorists by the end of this year. He made the reassurance when he defied norms and convention by embarking on operational visit, touring the frontlines despite public holidays and festivities recently.
For four days, ever hardworking and dedicated Chief of Army Staff denied himself the luxury of being with family and friends during the Muslim Eid celebrations and headed straight to the north east to be with the troops battling Boko Haram terrorists in the region.
While travelling, none of his personal staff or those accompanying him had an inkling of what the COAS was up to. Rather, all assembled at his residence late in the evening of Friday 25th September 2015 and before midnight were heading towards the frontline. The first port of call was the Headquarters 33 Artillery Brigade Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi. Thereafter, he passed through 301 Artillery Regiment Gombe and proceeded to Biu where he visited two units; 231 Tank Battalion and 331 Artillery Regiment in Aboge Largema Military Cantonment. While addressing the troops, the COAS charged them to maintain vigilance, momentum and aggressive posture urging them to apply all the principles of battle procedure they had learnt during training.
General Buratai conveyed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appreciation and goodwill message assuring troops that their welfare is taken seriously and will soon be addressed to enable them fight in the best spirit. He admonished them to treat surrendered terrorists humanely in line with International Humanitarian Laws and the Nigerian Army Code of Conduct.
Anything to the contrary will be addressed immediately through the appropriate military disciplinary channels and procedure. He also reminded the troops that their actions are covered by Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011, therefore the need to abide and operate within the provision of the same Act.
During the visit, the Chief of Army Staff also visited troops at Forward Operational Base of 331 Artillery Regiment Buratai, which is located at a vantage point, that coincidentally happened to be located at the personal residence of the Chief of Army Staff that has been attacked twice in the past by the Boko Haram terrorists.
After addressing and interacting with the troops, the Chief of Army Staff decorated 2 newly promoted Captains, W Yekeen and AR Musa, to the rank of Major with their new badges of ranks respectively. It was at the location also that the Chief of Training and Operations (Army) Major General FO Alli, who clocked 50 years that day was presented with a birthday card by the Nigerian Army. Thereafter, he paid courtesy call on the District Head of Buratai, Alhaji Ajiya Maina Garga, who is also a retired Army officer.
At the palace of his District Head, the Chief of Army Staff thanked the people and enjoined them to be more security conscious and cooperate with the military and security agencies to ensure that Boko Haram terrorists are defeated.
He also enjoined those seeking refuge elsewhere to come back home and pick up with their lives where they left off. In his remarks the District Head, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the visit and showered encomiums on President Muhammadu Buhari for finding their son worthy of the exalted appointment as the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff.
He also commended the COAS for all his wonderful achievements thus far and for his untiring efforts towards defeating the Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents.
He commended effort of troops deployed to the area and promised that they would continue to pray and support COAS to ensure that he had a successful tenure.
At the palace of Emir of Biu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Umar Mustapha Aliyu, CON, the Chief of Army Staff stated he was on operational visit to see the troops and deemed it necessary to come and thank the Emir, members of the Emirate Council and the people of the Emirate for their prayers, support and cooperation for his appointment as COAS.
In his remarks, the Emir thanked COAS for the visit.
He promised to continue to support Nigerian Army in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, expressing happiness that General Buratai chose to visit troops instead of staying back at the Headquaters.
The visit witnessed high degree of public support as various communities in the area who expressed their happiness as the young, old and children all stood lining up various streets beaming with smiles, waving hands and shouting various slogan mostly in Hausa, such as ‘”Lafiya Dole ne!”, “Morale, high”, “Allah ya baku sa’a!”
The Chief of Army Staff was accompanied by some Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding 3 Division Major General HA Umaru and other Commanders.
Indeed the visit afforded the Chief of Army Staff another opportunity to be with the troops, give directives and an overall assessment of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE in 3 and 7 Division Area of Responsibilities.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman is the Acting Director Army Public Relations
