- The chief of army staff (COAS), Lt General Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army is capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country when threatened
- Buratai states that the Nigerian Army has achieved a lot in the fight against insurgents and other internal security operations
- The army chief hails personnel of the army for what he describe as display of selfless commitment in the ongoing fight against insurgency
The Nigerian Army has restated its commitment to remain neutral in the discharge of its duties for the sustenance of democracy.
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The chief of army staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai, made the statement an an Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the annual Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) with the theme “Sustaining the Successes of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary and Emerging Security Challenges” on Sunday, July 2, in Abuja, Guardian reports.
The army chief, who was represented by the chief of policy and plans, Maj. Gen. Chris Jemitola, said the Nigerian Army was capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country when threatened.
Buratai noted that the army had achieved a lot in the fight against insurgents and other internal security operations.
He promised that the army would continue to do all it could to consolidate on the successes achieved thus far.
“I want to use this medium to acknowledge and to thank all officers and soldiers for their tireless contributions in making the Nigerian Army victorious in the fight against insurgents and in other internal security operations.
“You have shown commitment, dedication, courage, resilience and the will to succeed. You have all done very well and I am proud to be your Chief of Army Staff.
“On this great occasion, I want to, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, declare our unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Army will continue to remain apolitical while ensuring the sustenance of democracy,” he said.
The COAS hailed personnel of the army for what he described as display of selfless commitment in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
He noted that his desire is to transform the Nigerian Army into a more potent and responsive force that will effectively curtail contemporary security challenges, adding that issues of training and welfare of its personnel would be taken seriously.
The army chief said the army would continue to do its best in ensuring that all officers and soldiers, including their families, are well taken care of.
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“This is very much in my vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles. Let us all continue to give our best in the discharge of our duties to our fatherland,” he said.
Buratai also prayed for the officers and soldiers who have lost their lives in the course of carrying out their duties.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram terrorists may have decided to adopt the planting of improvised explosive devices at strategic places and roads in the north-east.
This is proven by recent discoveries made by the Nigerian Army and its troops combating the activities of the terrorists.
For example, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, troops of the 151 battalion who were on routine fighting patrol within Lt-Col Abu Ali Range discovered freshly dug hole prepared for IED by suspected of Boko Haram terrorists.
"The unit’s Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team scanned the general area and discovered one cylinder main charge, one pressure plate and three batteries suspected to have been abandoned by the terrorists.
“The prepared IED was safely detonated by the team,” Sani Usman, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, said.
In a related development, troops of 82 Task Force Battalion, who were on patrol along Ngoshe-Pulka, also discovered three IEDs buried by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on the road.
These were also detonated by the troops.
In the video below, Nigerian Air Force gives an update on operations against Boko Haram in 2017.
