“In today’s volatile operational environment, our Army must remain ready to answer the nation’s call anywhere and anytime, with little or no notice. Because of this, readiness for large-scale ground combat is our first priority.” The above quote attributed to Gen. Mark A. Milley, the 39th Chief of the US Army, succinctly summarises the guiding principles of General Yusuf Buratai, Nigeria’s celebrated Chief of Army Staff.
When Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai was appointed Chief of Army Staff in 2015, he resumed duty with a clear picture of what was the expectation of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians in general; that the Army exists to deter conflict through credible readiness and, when the nation commits its forces to war, to prevail in large-scale ground combat as a part of a unified action. To win, the Army must be trained and organised to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative to shape and dominate the operational environment while continuously consolidating gains.
Perhaps, it is this understanding that propelled the Army boss to take up the task of holistically reengineering the Army architecture that has led to the many success stories that it has recorded. From an outstanding execution of the war against insurgency, ensuring professionalism in the Army to human and material infrastructure that today puts Nigeria Army on the map of the best troops in the world.
Like a true patriot who is keen of protecting the sovereignty and peace of Nigeria, Buratai launched special operations that forestalled security breaches in the country such as “Lafia Dole” against terrorism in the Northeast, “Python Dance” in the Southeast to address agitations for secession, “Crocodile Smile” was an exercise which involved amphibious war games in the Niger Delta region, “Ayem Akpatuma, Zenda, and Wild Stroke ” were used to effectively checkmate the dreadful activities of the marauding criminal militias in Benue and the middle Belt region, “Operation Sharan Daji”/“Operation Harbin Kunama” that effectively battled armed bandits, cattle rustlers and robber operations particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and the fringes of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kano.
Similarly, the Army boss has facilitated the creation of Army University to boost scholarly capacity of the Nigerian Army officers. The University which is strategically located in Biu, is designed as unique and spealised institution that would serve as solution center, especially to specific challenges facing the military and the Northeast region. The NA also established the Nigerian Army Women Corps (NAWC) to develop female officers and soldiers that can be employed in all operational engagements of the NA.
As a rounded professional who understands the imperative of collaboration, The Army under the watch of Buratai entered full collaboration with the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) for needed parts and small arms and ammunition. Similarly, the NA is partnering with several companies in Nigeria including Innoson Motors, Proforce Limited and Nigeria Machine Tools, among others, towards the production of light and heavy armoured vehicles, critical equipment as well as protective clothing for NA troops. These collaborations have led to the development of the TYB Rover, Infantry Patrol Vehicle (IPV) and the Bionbion Helicopter, among several other equipment. The Army is also engaging some foreign technical companies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) to help us repair and refurbish some of our heavier and more delicate platforms.
In the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists in the North-east under Buratai, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other services and security agencies has dominated the area and continues to carry out sustained operations against the Boko Haram. It has ensured that Nigeria’s land borders are not been breached as the Army has been motivated to continually maintain a posture to defend Nigeria’s territorial rights and interests.
The Army’s resolve to ensure Nigeria’s territorial integrity is kept intact by significantly improving in their internal security operations.
The reorganization of Army towards professionalism was reinvigorated in 2018; especially when the NA witnessed a lot of reorganization and redeployment in a bid to improve their overall operational responsiveness and professional standard. The Army boss has left no stone unturned in keeping officers on their toes by approving the redeployment of some field and operational commanders in order to inject new ideas in the command and control structure in various NA operations across the country. He equally reorganized to align with some of the current realities of the time. Buratai as an astute administrator also demonstrated his competence by directing for a change from a wholly defensive posture of combatant to one where the defence in numbers and conduct offensive operations in smaller packets in different fronts.
The Army under Gen Buratai has given greater impetus to trainings and capacity building for personnel. In the area of training, he has expanded the in-theatre training for troops in the frontlines to afford them the required capabilities to operate and conduct effective operations. Special attention was also given to providing local and foreign training opportunities for all cadre of officers and soldiers. In Year 2018 alone, a total of 156 personnel attended foreign courses while 2,390 attended local courses and training programmes, ranging from masters degree programmes to workshops and conferences. The NA has also hosted over 300 local and international conferences, seminars or summits either solely or in-conjunction with other bodies as means of boosting the intellectual and professional capacity of officers.
As a strategy to guaranteeing commitment of personnel, the Army under Gen. Buratai has prioritised welfare of personnel. For instance, provision of adequate healthcare to NA personnel and their families has been optimised. From Jan 18 to date, 36 officers, 144 soldiers and 7 family members of personnel have benefited in the NA Medical Evacuation both within and outside the country. Currently, there are twelve patients and twelve escorts in India receiving treatment.
Similarly, Buratai established a human rights desk in 2016. The desk has so far handled over 200 petitions, this is not only novel but incredible in the development of the Nigerian Army.
The Army boss has also demystified civil/military relations in the history of the Nigerian army with the department of civil military relations as the most proactive with focus on human rights. The establishment of the human right desk in the Nigerian Army has restored confidence of the general public and enhanced civil military relations. This earned the Chief of Army staff many international awards on human Rights including the International Human Rights Commission, Geneva, Switzerland.
Semaka, a public affairs commentator, writes from Abuja.
