The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that the Nigerian Army has defeated the once-dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and has also degraded their capability to re-group in any part of the country.
He said that this was why for a long time, the group had not carried out any attack or suicide bombing in the North-East or elsewhere as had been the case in the past.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Royal Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, in his palace in Jishe, on Monday, the Army chief said that this was achieved largely as a result of the gallantry and loyalty of his officers and men.
He assured the monarch that in the same vein the incessant crises on the Plateau would come to an end through the efforts of the Special Task Force and other security agencies.
Buratai told the monarch that it was for this reason that he recently deployed the new commander, Maj. Gen. Rogers Nicholas, who is an expert in civil military relations.
Buratai said, “You can see that our efforts in the North-East has really paid off as you can recall the incessant bombing of market places and different places of worships and populated areas has virtually stopped now. And I can assure you and the people of Plateau State is that they will never witness Boko Haram attacks like you witnessed in the past.
“For a long time now, we have not had any cases of that nature here on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, it is because of the efforts of the military in the North-East. The Nigerian Army has not only succeeded in rooting them from their camps in the North-East, we have been able to block these criminal elements from crossing down to these areas or building their camp anywhere in Nigeria.
“I want to assure you that we will remain resolute in the discharge of our duties. I want to particularly commend you on your role as the Gbong Gwom Jos, including all the moral support you gave us through wise counsel. We must acknowledge your support.
“Apart from you, I want to also acknowledge the cooperation of Plateau people to the Nigerian Army; it is a fact that we have received excellent cooperation and understanding especially towards the Nigerian Army operating in Plateau State.”
Responding, the Gbong Gwom Jos, said he never doubted the capacity and the capability of the Nigerian military to undertake any assignment, no matter how tedious.
Buba said, “The success of the Nigerian Army over Boko Haram did not come to me as a surprise because I know very well that the Nigerian Army historically has always distinguished itself wherever they have served and today, that particular history is still very much playing itself out.”
- Punch
