Last week Saturday, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, formally commissioned Forward Operation Base 331 Artillery Regiment (Tactical), Nigerian Army, in Buratai village, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. MUSA UMAR BOLOGI was there and reports on the significance of the base.
As you enter Buratai village from Biu, Headquarters of Biu Local Government of Borno state, a building stands conspicuously by the right hand side. It is a modern structure erected on 200 by 200 square meters of land; and covered with dark blue short strips roofing, riddled with bullet holes. The inside was half burnt, and all the accessories destroyed.
This is the country home of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. The building hosted its owner, until last years when the village was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists, obviously to vent their vexation on the army chief, who determinedly decimated their activities.
However, shortly after the attack the village was rescued by the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, and the structure later became the temporary base of Forward Operation 331 Artillery Regiment.
The Forward Operation base, Blueprint learnt, was established in the village to maintain offensive operation from a fortified location, conduct aggressive patrol and improve response time in order to dominate the entire area of the troops operations.
Biu-Buratai axis in Southern Borno State was a significant area for the insurgents, as it was the terrorists supply route of food, fuel and other items, hence they struggled to secure control of the axis through their several attack on settlements along the route.
The establishment of the Forward Operation Regiment in Buratai village, together with gallantry engagement of the troops expurgated the terrorists supply chain, stopped further invasion of the insurgents into neighbouring states of Yobe, Adamawa, and Gombe, and significantly contributed to the success in winning the war against the insurgents.
It would be recalled that it was from this axis that Boko Haram terrorists attacked Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Yobe State, where they shot and burnt about 59 boarding students of overnight in February 2014.
It is against this backdrop and in line with the vision of the Nigerian Army leadership to offer sound administration to troops on the field that construction of permanent structure for the base was conceived last year.
The areas of operation the army formation stretches from Chani, Gonori, Gala lajigin in Borno state, to Buni Gare and Buni yadi in Yobe state, and extends to border villages in Gombe state, as well as entire Biu Local Government Area.
Commissioning the base, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai said incessant attack by Boko Haram terrorists in the general areas of Buni Yadi and environs necessitated the need to establish forward operation base in Buratai village to contain and decimate the terrorists progression.
“When I assumed office as the Chief of Army Staff, the Boko Haram terrorists attacked several towns and villages in the North east during the defunct Operation Zaman Lafiya,” he said. “To completely defat the terrorists in line with the presidential directive, there was an urgent need to adopt a new strategy and operation Lafiya Dole came into force with an offensive posture to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
“The force was to organise with headquarters 3 Division (Tactical) relocating from Yola to Damaturu, and Headquarters 27 task Brigade from Damaturu to Buni Yadi. Following the incessant attack of Boko Haram terrorists in the general areas of Buni Yadi and environs, future operational plans necessitated the need to establish forward operation base here to curtail and decimate the Boko Haram terrorists progression.
“At the early stages of the creation of this base, troops were accommodated in tents which later became inadequate due to the inclement weather conditions. Notwithstanding the initial challenges, the forward operation base became a game charge and a formidable ranking part against Boko Haram terrorists camps and their criminal activities in this area.
“Due to increasing operational activities of the base, constructions of permanent structures were conceived to alleviate the troops exposure to inclement weather.”
He urged officers and soldiers in the base to maintain the facilities and keep the base operational at all times.
Earlier in his remark, Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor said fierce battle took place in Buratai between the troops and the insurgence during several attacks by the later on the village and its environs last year.
After their defeat in Buratai village, he said the insurgents resulted to the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which lead to the closure of Damaturu-Biu road, until it was reopened recently.
“The Forward Operation Base succeeded in series of offensive operations leading to the liberation of many villages including Konari, Bulagama, Mangari, Palala, Agige and a host of other,” he said.
“The road from Buratai to Buni Yadi was also cleared of IEDs, while the road leading to Damaturu was also opened in April this year and it is constantly being used by commuters without fear.”
The Theater Commander said the initiative would be replicated in other critical areas in order to boost the morale of troops in forward areas.
“Furthermore, it will significantly add value to the overall security architecture in the North east beyond Borno Statey,” he said.
He said the structures of the Forward Operation Base were designed to be a comfortable accommodation for Company strength of soldiers.
The construction of the Forward Operation Base began on the April 21, 2015. Facilities at base consist of office blocks, officers and soldiers’ accommodation areas, cafeteria, clinic, operation fence, parameter fence, parameter trenches, and recreational facilities to assist the troops perform optimally.
