Killings in North Central Nigeria/Terror War in North East: Buratai at Army Finance WASA, warns troops not to Relax Achievements; Says 2017 was significantly Successful.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai has warned officers and soldiers against resting on their oars in view of mounting security challenges across the country noting that though significant successes were achieved in 2017, like taking over Sambisa Forest, through ‘Operation Deep Punch 2’, more still needed to be done.

Lt. General Buratai also insisted that though the military’s operation to rid Benue, Kogi, Taraba and Nasarawa through ‘Operation Ayem Akpatuma’ is yielding significant result; there was need for more to be done to bring to a halt, the continued killings being reported and destruction of farmlands in the country.

The Army Chief, represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 division, Lagos, Major General EO Udoh, while speaking at the 2017, Nigerian Army Finance Corps, West African Social Activities (WASA), at the weekend in Lagos described the year 2017 as quite eventful for the force as all its training programmes were carried out.

He said, “Some important activities which hitherto were suspended due to commitment of troops in various internal and external security operations were reactivated in 2017.

“Such activities include the Nigerian Army Sports festival which was held last year after a break of 7 years. Various field training exercises such as Shirin Habri, Harbin Kunama 2, Egwu Eke 2, and Crocodile Smile 2 were also successfully conducted in various parts of the country.

“Similarly, Exercise Ayem Akpatuma which is currently ongoing is yielding significant results. These exercises have notably gone a long way in curbing and addressing acts of criminality and other nefarious activities.

“The climax of these exercises was ‘Operations deep Punch 2’ in the North East which led to the fall of Sambisa Forest to our gallant troops.

“Therefore, we have good reasons to celebrate and also thank the almighty God for these great achievements in the year 2017.

The Army Chief paid tribute to ‘Our Fallen Heroes’ who paid the supreme price to keep the country safe and sacrifice for us to remain one. May their gentle souls rest in peace and may almighty God grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.

 Furthermore, Buratai said, As we commence yet another training circle, I enjoin you to remember that we still have a lot to do. You must therefore remain committed in the discharge of your collective responsibilities of ensuring stability across the country. You must remain focused, dedicated and resilient in order to consolidate on the achievements recorded.     

 He commended the Chief of Accounts and Budget, officers and soldiers of Nigerian Army Finance Corps for the selflessness in the financial management of scarce resources.

“I urge you to sustain the tempo and remain proactive in the conduct of your duties”, the COAS added.

Chief of Accounts and Budget, Major General Jehadi Ezra Jakko in his address, commended the Army Chief for approving resources that enabled us achieve remarkable successes recorded in 2017.

“This year 2018 has started with enthusiasm and good hope of further actualizing your vision by consolidating on the gains of the past years through discipline and sustained training to meet the Nigerian Army’s constitutional roles” Jakko said.

Speaking on the activities for last year, the CAB said, “In 2017, the Nigerian Army Finance Corps conducted its training in line with the COAS Training Directives while also adopting the current realities of the federal government’s financial reforms.

“Accordingly, the Army has successfully operated under the Treasury Single Account. In the same vein, the Nigerian Army Finance Corps is in the final stages of discussion on the upgrade of the Nigerian Army personnel to the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System..

“This system is domiciled with the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Furthermore, the electronic payment of operation allowances to troops in operation areas especially Operation Lafiya Dole has been highly improved upon which has impacted positively on the morale of the fighting troops.

“In line with the training directive, the NAFC also ensured that the various divisions’ finance and accounts organized individual training weeks to enhance their personnel professional capacity”.

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