The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur on Tuesday hailed the dogged determination of troops toward ensuring total victory and destruction of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.
Buratai, who addressed troops after observing the Eid prayers at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, also acknowledged their determination to suppress other forms of aggression and insecurity in the country.
He was represented by Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations.
Buratai said: “Eid-el-Adha which signifies the festival of sacrifice and obedience reminds us of the sacrifices of our troops in the ongoing operations, especially against terrorism and insurgency.
“I must acknowledge your doggedness and determination toward ensuring total victory and destruction of the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents, as well as suppressing other forms of aggression and insecurity in our country.
“I charge you to remain focusd, disciplined and loyal to constituted authorities at all times, while ensuring that we carry out our roles professionally and effectively.
“I also urge you to be committed, dedicated, resilient and courageous in the discharge of your assigned duties.’’
The army chief reassured the troops of the “untiring commitment and support’’ of President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to provide them with the necessary welfare and logistics needs to perform their duties.
He also said reassured them that the army high command would continue to provide them “the very best working environment that would bring out the best in them’’ and wished the troops happy celebration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that since he assumed office in 2015, Buratai visits troops in the frontline during festivals to identify and cheer them up.
Speaking shortly with newsmen after the prayers, he described such visits as the “moral component of war that is not tangible but immeasurable.’’
“It is very critical because this is the component in war that is not tangible. It is called the moral component, that moral component of it –war is immensurable.
“Visiting troops in the battle front during festivities like this – Eid-el-Adha, rekindles their confidence; it also gingers them to know that the leadership of the army cares for them.
“The leadership of the army, even though they are not here 24 hours, they feel with them in terms of toughness, in terms of celebrations and in terms of all that happens, the leadership of the army is with them and behind them,’’ he said.
Buratai said that although there were challenges, they were being confronted to “ensure we overcome.’’
“It is a war that we are already winning; we will win successfully, not only for the army but for the armed forces and our dear country.’’
Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Abdulmalik Biu, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, assured that the troops were “ever prepared’’ and would continue the fight against insurgency to a logical conclusion.
“We are highly motivated toward doing that,’’ Biu said. (NAN)
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