Boko Haram: Army Chief Charges Soldiers to Conclude the War & Return to Barracks; Decorates 65 Soldiers, Officers with Medals for Gallantry.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai on Tuesday directed troops fighting to dislodge Boko Haram from the North East not to rest on their oars but to conclude the fighting against Boko Haram and return back to barracks for more training and performance of routine duties. 

He spoke  in Borno during the presentation of gallantry awards medals to 2 officers and 63 soldiers serving in 151 Task Force Battalion, 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, Operation Lafiya Dole, for their gallantry and bravery in the face of the enemy.

The beneficiaries came under Boko Haram terrorists attack in 2 separate occasions, but were able to manoeuvre their way out of the ambush and engaged the terrorists, inflicting heavy casualties on them.

A statement by Lt. Colonel Kingsley Samuel, Deputy Director, Army Public relations said, “The soldiers also captured the terrorist’s weapons, Improvised Explosive Devices, Gun trucks and logistics on 10th July 2017. 

In his address to the troops of 21 Brigade in Bama, shortly after presenting the gallantry awards, the COAS described soldiering as a call to national service.

 He congratulated the troops for the successes achieved so far in the ongoing clearance operations against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

 The Army Chief urged troops not to rest on their oars but conclude the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists and return back to barracks to continue with training and other routine duties. 

 Earlier, the COAS had a stopover at 202 Battalion location in Awulari along Bama Road, where he witnessed the test firing of an artillery weapons by 304 Artillery Regiment and thereafter proceeded to visit the Alau Dam along Konduga road.

 The COAS and his entourage later joined the troops on patrol in gun boats stationed at the jetty.

 He was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Training and Operations at the Army Headquarters , Major General David Ahmadu, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf and other Principal Staff Officers and Directors from the Army Headquarters. 

 Recall that the COAS has in compliance with the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo’s directive to service chiefs since returned to the Theatre and has been touring various Army formations under Operation Lafiya Dole.   

 Earlier on Monday, 7th of August the COAS visited 25 Task Force Brigade, 7 Division Nigerian Army, in Damboa where he was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Quadri.

 This was on his way from Buni Yadi in Yobe State where he went to monitor and participate in  the training of troops of Mobile Strike Teams that are due tobe injected into Operation Lafiya Dole to enhance a more robust clearance operations against the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

 Kingsley Samuel 

Lt. Colonel, Deputy Director Army Public Relations Headquarters 7 Division.