Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, on Sunday, assured Nigerians that the ongoing war against Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists will soon be over.
General Attahiru told troops of Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE of the Nigerian Army in Damaturu, Yobe State, during a morale boosting visit that that he came to assure them that Boko Haram would be ended within a reasonable period of time.
The Army Chief specifically commended troops of Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE for their exploits and achievements in dislodging the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists from their enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle
during the first phase of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO in the Sector’s Area of Operational Responsibility.
The Chief of Army Staff further stated that he has been briefed on the challenges confronting the troops in the Sector and assured them of his intervention as soon as possible, commending their resilience, doggedness and professionalism exhibited since the beginning of Operations.
He therefore encouraged them not to relent but to build on the successes recorded so far.
According to Attahiru, “we have come to Yobe State, to the Sector Headquarters, to meet you, to get to know you and you get to know us as well. We promised ending this issue of Boko Haram.
“I am bringing a very special greetings from the President and Commander-in-Chief. He is fully briefed and aware of how and what you are doing.
“I will like to tell you that, I personally, as the Chief of Army Staff, I am here to take cognizance and note of the challenges you have and ensure that they are addressed to ensure you have the highest level of morale to be able to
do your job and do it proudly as Nigerian soldiers.”
“I am very pleased, your Commanders have told me what you have done collectively as part of ‘Operation Tura Takai Bango,” how you have pushed the Boko Haram insurgents. We are so proud of you and I believe in the second phase
of that operation you will do more.”
He said he was sure they will go out to the warfront and push the insurgents so hard and bring this entire insurgency to an end, adding, “all your challenges are noted and I will address all the problems.”
General Attahiru however appealed to the people of Yobe State to continue supporting and cooperating with the security operatives in order to deal with the remaining suspected Boko Haram members.
In his remarks, Acting Commander, Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brigadier General Adamu Nura, while welcoming the Chief of Army Staff, assured him that the Sector under his watch will continue to make necessary
sacrifices for the betterment of our county and North Eastern Region in particular.
He reiterated that Sector 2 will continue to align with the COAS Vision and Command Philosophy.
The Chief of Army Staff was thereafter conducted round to inspect ongoing projects and construction of new barracks for 233 Battalion in Damaturu.