Boko Haram: Buratai Charges Troops On Final Onslaught

By Andah John with agency report

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged troops serving in the Northeast to immediately flush out remnants of Boko Haram insurgents.

The army chief, who gave the charge in a goodwill message to troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE titled, “No more time to waste”, ordered the soldiers to embark on the final aggressive against the insurgents.

Go on the offensive

“In this regard, no stone should be left unturned. I, therefore, call on all officers and soldiers to buckle up and ensure that remnants of Boko Haram terrorists are completely cleared.

“I hope to be with you sometime this month – December, to motivate and positively influence the ongoing operations.

“This is with a view to having a colourful end of year and peaceful Yuletide in the Northeast and indeed Nigeria.

“I urge all commanders to plan and embark on effective patrols, raids, ambushes and deliberate attacks in conjunction with other services especially the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, to rescue all those abducted by the terrorists.

“I also wish to remind all troops that captured and surrendered Boko Haram terrorists must be treated humanely and fairly and in strict accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Laws of Armed Conflict,” he said.

Be ready to go deep

Buratai, however, said in doing that they must be prepared to enter “all fortresses, camps, dens and enclaves of the Boko Haram to completely flush them out and dominate these areas to ensure they are not reoccupied”.

“I wish to reiterate that December is a month of decision.

“It is either we succeed in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists or we continue to live in perpetual circle of their atrocities in the Northeast.

Back to barracks soon

“I, hereby, want to reassure all troops that I intend to return everybody to Barracks in 2017 only leaving behind a strong, highly mobile, effective and motivated force that will continue to do the good work that we have already started,” he said.

The army boss also urged the troops to remain focused, disciplined, and loyal. He also charged them to be dedicated and patriotic to their duties and to Mr President, the Commander-in-Chief .

Buratai further commended the troops for their sacrifice, commitment, loyalty and courage in the service to their fatherland.