The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-General Yusuf Tukur Buratai has vowed not to leave the theatre of Operation Lafiya Dole until a final blow is dealt on the Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east.
General Buratai had earlier announced his relocation to the war zone following the trouncing of the insurgents by the Chadian Army from the Lake Chad axis where President Idris Deby was reported to have held a section of Nigeria waiting to handover to Nigerian troops.
Speaking at a special Easter celebration with the troops Monday at Ngamdu special super camp, Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, Yobe state, the COAS regretted that the insurgency had lasted for too long but gave assurances that in no time the Boko Haram elements would be defeated.
“This morning, our Christian brothers had special prayer for all of us and we appreciate that.
“This afternoon, we are also coming to have this lunch to thank Almighty God for bringing us to this point alive as soldiers, as a country and for course in this our counter-insurgency operation,” he said.
“We will not leave this insurgency to last like in other countries who have fought insurgency for close to 50 years. We cannot allow that to happen here,” Buratai said.
General Buratai assured the troops of Mr President’s support, saying he had provided all they need to defeat the enemies.
On his determination to ensure sustained onslaught against the insurgents, the army chief said: “You may wonder that this counter-insurgency operation has lingered for too long, we all know globally that counter terrorism is very complex. There are some countries that have fought counter terrorism for close to 50years. But we’re not going to leave it; we will not leave this camp.
“We are here; we will not leave this camp until we substantially degrade these criminals. By God’s willing, we shall be there with you no going back once we commence. We will be with you in the valleys, on the hill, in the jungle, in the river and so on. As I speak now, we have some elements that are providing us necessary intelligence and once we start, no going back. We are here and we make sure that we get ourselves properly motivated, properly equipped and I assure you will have the best of time.
“Some of you have been here before like two three times, but I tell you are going to have the best of time. We want the best out of you; we need your courage and determination.
“I want you to have at the back of your minds that Mr. President is solidly behind you. We have already started getting the consignment of what we require for us to handle these insurgency and terrorism. It is a matter of time and a very short time.
“If I ask you a question, will you answer me? The question is, is anybody ready to chicken out?”
A thunderous NO erupted from the soldiers and the COAS continued: “We make sure that we never go back. Forward ever, backward never. Thank you and God bless you all”.
Highlights of the occasion was the COAS serving food to troops as soldiers dance and celebrate the Easter.
The COAS was accompanied by the Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Faruk Yahaya among other principal officers in the theatre command.
