The Nigerian Army on Wednesday reacted to the CNN airing of stories on the October 20 shootings of #ENDSARS protesters, with Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, saying Nigerian soldiers were professional and operated within the rules of engagement during the operation.
General Buratai spoke on the EndSARS issue when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Army at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja, stating that he presides over a professional Army who will never operate outside the rules of engagement.
According to Buratai, “let me assure you and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army is a professional Army. We follow our rules of engagement. Nigerians should feel safe.
“We abide by rules of engagement and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
On the issue of kidnapping and banditry causing untold hardship on citizens along the Abuja – Kaduna road, the COAS said, “the issues of kidnapping and bandits attacks are being taken care of” noting that the Nigerian Air Force and the Army are doing a lot in this regard.
On improving the capacity of the military, the Chief of Army Staff said that the Nigerian Army Aviation is being reactivated pointing out that the Helicopter project is at the ‘heart of our plans’.
“In this regard, we have acquired two helicopters from the Transmission Company of Nigeria. We have added them to our platform and they will be rehabilitated and used for research”.
He requested for a Special Intervention Fund from the government for procurement of more equipment, training and provision of accommodation and other infrastructure in military barracks.
“Even though the budget has been made, there may be requirement for virement of funds because of shortage of funds needed for procurement of hardware equipment especially to tackle the challenges in the North East and North West.
“Procurement of platforms for the Armoured Corp also requires special intervention because with 100 per cent equipment capability, tackling insecurity will be enhanced and criminal elements wiped out.
“We have so much dilapidation across Nigerian Army units and formations but were are taking them gradually”, Buratai added.
Chairman, House of Reps Committee on Army, Hon Abdulrasaq Namdas had earlier disclosed that they were at the Army headquarters to brief the COAS about their observations during their oversight visit to military formations across the country.
He said that during the visit, the committee witnessed tremendous improvements in terms of infrastructure, repair of accommodation, provision of water and roads in many army units and formations adding that they were allowed unfettered access to units as ordered by the Army boss.