The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Farouk Yahaya will ‘distribute and allocate’ official vehicles and accommodations to troops fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast. The 12-year insurgency has killed 40, 000 people with the destruction of property worth $9.2 billion (N3.42 trillion) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Yahaya announced the distribution on Tuesday in Maiduguri; the Borno state capital; at the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah luncheons with wounded troops. He said that the Eid-el-Kabir festival brings a special reminder and highlights the virtues of loyalty, obedience and sacrifice which marks professional soldiering. “It therefore provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect and redouble our efforts towards fulfilling the constitutional roles of defeating our adversaries,” he said, assuring that it can defend the territorial integrity of the nation. According to him, the nation is faced with several challenges of insecurity to lives and property.
He however, appreciated the troops’ efforts in all operations, including Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the northeast. “I’ll reward excellence and dedication,” he declared, warning that he will not hesitate to punish indiscipline and negligence in the counter-insurgency and terrorism operations. On troops’ welfare and logistics, he said: “I’m particularly concerned with the development of individual soldiers, as well as empowering the regimental sergeants majors (RSMs) and senior non-commissioned officers,” stating that this will bridge the gaps between officers and soldiers in the front lines.
According to him, the welfare of officers, soldiers and the families will continue to be prioritized. He said the Army will ensure the comfort of troops’ families through payments of all entitlement, including medical bills and scholarships of their children. He therefore approved the distribution of Hilux vehicles as official cars for the RSMs at army headquarters and garrisons. He added that the distribution exercise will also be extended to the RSM battalions. “This is to develop the soldiers with relevant skills in their respective professions,” he said. He urged the people to also continue to support the Army by providing credible information on any attempted terror attack.
While commending the Army yesterday, Governor Babagana Zulum said: “Let me use this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the recuperating soldiers for their efforts they have rendered in fighting the insurgents,” adding that may God hasten the process of healing from the wounds they sustained while fighting the terrorists. He said the families of the fallen heroes also bear the fortitudes of the irreparable losses. He therefore announced a donation of N10 million to the recuperating soldiers. According to him, the state government will partner with the military and other security agencies for defeating the insurgents. Zulum urged Yahaya to further cement military and civilian relationships in order to defeat Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
