ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday said the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, who have continued to wage war on the Nigerian state, has been constantly and sufficiently degraded.
Nigeria army – Chief of Army Staff Major General Buratai
Buratai stated this during the Nigerian Army Social Activities, NASA 2015, in Abuja, adding that the terrorists now flee the theatre on daily basis.
He stressed that the annual event was aimed at bringing the families of officers and soldiers together to celebrate end of the year and to usher in activities of the New Year.
He said the last few months have witnessed remarkable improvement and a quantum leap of operational capacity of the troops, especially in the North East.
“This is occasioned by the improved administrative and logistics spheres of the operations, which are clear manifestation of my vision.
“I am pleased to inform you that our gallant troops are doing fantastic job in the North East. The capacity of the insurgents is constantly being degraded that the miscreants are on daily basis fleeing the theatre (of war).”
The army chief appealed to all officers and soldiers not to be distracted by those he described as ‘‘agents of anarchy’’ while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
He said so much falsehood has been bandied against the Nigerian Army in recent time, stating that in civilised climes, public support was channelled towards achieving national goal, and the army is held as a sacred institution.
“Unfortunately, few agents back home try to portray it otherwise. I want to declare that we are focused and we shall not be distracted.”
Buratai however urged the officers and soldiers to imbibe and uphold the core values of the profession, adding that service interest must always be placed above personal interest.
Earlier, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig-Gen Musa Yusuf, said apart from the brigade’s duties of providing security to the president, the Federal Capital Territory, it is equally known for its high level regimentation.
Yusuf said the cultural and traditional displays witnessed were from soldiers and their family within the barracks, as against the usual practice of renting troupes for visual delight at such occasion, and a display of cosmopolitan nature of troops of the brigade.
He commended the effort of the troops in the Northeast for their untiring efforts in ensuring the peace and stability of the country.
Credit: National Mirror (Nigeria)
