Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai has on Wednesday held a Christmas luncheon with troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at Delwa forward operational base in Borno state. The luncheon, according to him, is to felicitate with the officers and soldiers of the operational base and 7 Division Garrison. While addressing troops yesterday along with other principal Army officers, he paid tribute to the gallant officers and soldiers that that paid the supreme price of fighting terrorism and insurgency. He also congratulated the troops for their bravery and steadfastness. Buratai told the troops that the Federal Government and citizens appreciate their efforts in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. “The President has promised total support to the military in order to bring the conflict to logical conclusion,” warning that; “Troops should be wary of Boko Haram misinformation and propaganda aimed at demoralizing the soldiers by break their cohesion and fighting spirit. He said the troops have already decimated the terrorists, as they want to brainwash soldiers through propaganda. “You should not believe their lies and misinformation,” he further warned. Speaking on the sabotage of military operations, he said: “There are several elements who don’t wish Nigeria well hence their concerted efforts to bring disaffection among the officers and soldiers into logger heads. “Such logger heads were created through false information and claims on the social media: He said that the Army would not allow that as the Command would continue to do its best for troops in the front lines. He added that the officers love soldiers more than anyone else and will never play with troops’ welfare and wellbing. He said the Army have made significant progress and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the country. What remains, according to him, “is to clear the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists through offensive actions, long range patrols and ambushes.” There was also a field training exercise by troops and a lunch in which Buratai and Principal Army Staff Officers, Theatre Commander, GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole personally each served troops with food and drinks. Military officers that accompanied Buratai include the Chief of Training and Operations (Army), Maj-Gen. LO Adeosun, Director of Military Intelligence, Maj-Gem. SA Adebayo, Chief of Account of Budget (Army), Maj-Gen. CU Agunlanna, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Benson Akinruloyo and the Acting Provost Marshal (Army), Brigadier General H Ahmed. Others comprise, the Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, who is also Commander Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig-Gen. Bulama Biu and Commander Sector 2, Brig-Gen. MB Dala.
