President
Muhammadu Buhari has commended and praised the Nigerian Army after they
successfully dislodged Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa forest.
Nigerian soldiers posing with Boko Haram's captured flag
The Nigerian Army on Friday night in Abuja hosted President
Muhammadu Buhari to Guards Brigade Regimental Dinner and presented to
him the captured Boko Haram flag.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flag was handed
over to the President by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole,
Maj. -Gen. Lucky Irabor.
NAN recalls that men of the Operation Lafiya Dole operating in the
North East had successfully captured the “Camp Zero”, the strongest
enclave of Boko Haram terrorists sect, in the Sambisa Forest.
Irabor, had disclosed that about 1,240 suspected Boko Haram
terrorists were arrested during a mop-up operation by troops inside the
Sambisa forest.
While receiving the flag, President Buhari challenged the army
forces on the need to continue to ensure the survival of Nigeria as a
geo-political entity despite what he described as “political madness’’
being exhibited in some parts of the country.
According to him, it is duty bound for the army to ensure the
sustenance of peaceful co-existence among the over 250 ethnic groups
across the country.
“We will do our best to build the national institutions in the country.
“All these political madness in the North East, the Niger Delta
or in the East should not be allowed to cause division or any form of
tension in the country.
“There are 250 ethnic groups, so keeping Nigeria one is a task
that must be done, even for your personal reason you must make sure this
country remains united and stronger,’’ he said.
President Buhari, who narrated his early military life in Abeokuta
and subsequent redeployment to Zaire (now Congo), said he was almost
killed while on duty even before enjoying his first salary as an
officer.
The president, therefore, stated that he was conversant with the
problems of the military having spent over 25 years in the military. He recalled how his refusal to adhere to an advice from the IMF,
World Bank to devalue the naira and increase prices of fuel and flour,
as a military Head of State, led to his removal.
He said: “I refused and gave my reasons and the next thing I knew I was removed and detained for three and half years.
“As a civilian president I will do my best and I’m telling you
all these because you are part of the leadership of this great country
and God willing we will remain great.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai urged
the officers and men of the Guards Brigade to always maintain the
courage and discipline they were known for in 2017 and beyond.
He assured that the military would continue their onslaught in the
North East, and would not rest in mopping up of the remnants of the Boko
Haram insurgents.
Buratai reassured that the Nigerian Army would remain apolitical in carrying out its duties to the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regimental dinner
night, which was organized to mark the end of drilling year of the
Presidential Brigade of Guards, afforded the officers of the brigade to
socialize with their commanders.
The highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the PMB
(President Muhammadu Buhari) Gymnasium at the Scorpion Mess in W.U.
Bassey Cantonment by the President.
The event also witnessed the presentation of Souvenirs, Scorpion
Magazine and Compendium of Guards Brigade as well as the conducts of the
band by the President.
The Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brig.-Gen. Musa Yusuf, delivered
the vote of thanks at the occasion which was attended by notable
personalities including the representative of Senate President, Sen.
Leader, Ali Ndume and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,
Malam Muhammed Bello.
Others are the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, the
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Presidential aides among
others.
Courtesy-News Agency of Nigeria
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)
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