From Musa Umar Bologi Maiduguri
Chief of Army Staff , Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday charged commanders to be more professional in their operations, saying the army would not accept unnecessary casualties during operations in the Northeast. Buratai gave the order after decorating 66 troops of 21 Armoured Brigade located in Bama, Borno state, for their gallantry. He said: “I will not accept a situation whereby our troops are being unnecessarily killed or innocent civilians being ambushed along major highways or in some other areas. You must therefore be professional and fl ush-out remnants of the terrorists from their hideouts. “
We have done the major part of the fi ght, and we are moving ahead to end the operations. Let’s end this quickly so that we can go back to our Barracks and continue to plan for other eventualities and other duties within the Constitution. We are very concern about logistics and welfare. Whatever that is due to you we will give to you.” He urged the troops of Operation Lafi ya Dole to continue to continue to exhibit gallantry in order to quickly end the battle against Boko Haram terrorists. “I call on you to continue to be on alert, proactive and dedicated in their operations.” Earlier, the army chief decorated 54 troops of Delta Company, 51 Battalion, comprising 53 soldiers and offi cers, for distinguishing themselves in the frontlines, by repealing terrorists ambush at Banki, on July 10, 2017. He also decorated 12 troops also of 151 Battalion, comprising 11 soldiers and an offi cer, to have successfully conducted two ambushes against the terrorists and blocking supply of material to terrorists, from Banki junction to Miati, on August 5, 2017. Buratai said the troops by the successes in the operations demonstrated high level of commitment, dedication and gallantry, and urged other to emulate them.
