The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede has commended the fighting spirit, zeal and resilience of troops in the frontline of counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria’s troubled Northeast region.
Oluyede gave the commendation in an address to troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai on Sunday – yesterday, January 26 – during his operational visit to the theatre in Northeast’s Borno and Yobe states.
The COAS said troops in the area should be appreciated for “their doggedness and resilience in the face of adversity.”
Lt. General Oluyede spoke against the backdrop of the recent death of 22 soldiers in a counter-insurgency operation in Borno.
Troops also reportedly killed 70 of the insurgents in that operation codenamed Operation HADIN KAI in the North East
According to the COAS, military troops have sustained pressure on terrorists in the area, bursting Boko Haram and ISWAP’s camps despite a few setbacks through Improved Explosive Devices (EDs) attacks including the January 22 incident.
The Army Chief however urged troops not to relent “until the adversaries of the nation are brought to their knees.”
Gen Oluyede who also visited the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni in Damaturu, the state capital as part of his operational tour, assured the government of the army’s commitment to deal with security challenges in the state.
Army spokesman, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said the COAS promised to ensure troops are provided with all the necessary support to carry out their task of securing the state.
He also appreciated the government and the people of Yobe State for their support to the troops.
Gov Mai Buni appreciated the COAS for his visit. He called for escalation of concerted effort to deal with the security situation in the state.
