Nigerian Army chief visits troops, hoists Nigeria flag at Gamboru Ngala

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Buratai with officers and troops in Gamboru Ngala

FILE PHOTO: Nigerian Army

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Buratai with officers and troops in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen TY Buratai with officers and troops in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. TY Buratai has visited Nigerian troops in the front line at the strategic border town of Gamboru Ngala in Borno State recently recaptured from Boko Haram terrorists, Colonel Sani Usman, spokesperson of Nigerian Army said in a statement.

Apart from addressing the troops, the COAS, according to Usman, also performed a symbolic ceremony of hoisting Nigeria’s national flag at the border between Nigeria and Cameroon at the strategic and economic town of Gamboru Ngala, just by the river bank that divides the two countries.

“This signifies the restoration of Nigeria’s authority and complete possession of its territory within the area,” said Usman.

The Army spokesperson also revealed that during the brief ceremony, Buratai commended the troops for the feat of recapturing the strategic and economic town of Gamboru Ngala.

According to him, the COAS told the troops that the recapture of the town was in line with the vision and the mission of the Nigerian Army of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation.

“The COAS also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing all the desired leadership, support and logistics that made the Nigerian Army to perform effectively.

“Lt Gen Buratai, however, warned the troops that there was a lot to do, adding that the war is not over as the terrorists were yet to give up.

“He stated that the terrorists plant Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and attack isolated communities and urged the troops to ensure that they stopped the terrorists.

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“He further assured of his continued support to the units. He also had a brief interaction with a spontaneous and mammoth crowd of both Nigerian refugees and Cameroonian citizens across the river that converged to greet him,” said Usman who added that the COAS had a durbar with the Special Forces who bared their minds on quite a number of issues to which he obliged them with instant solutions and promises.

Nigerian flag being hoisted in Gamboru Ngala

According to him, the CDS later in the evening, during a special Camp Fire to celebrate the recapture of Dikwa and Gamboru Ngala, Lt Gen Buratai further interacted with the troops and decorated an officer, Muhammed Abu Ali, that was earlier granted accelerated promotion from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel for his courage, bravery and exceptional performance during the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He added that the COAS later in the night, had interaction with all the officers during which he gave operational directives to the commanders.

Usman described the visit by Buratai as quite unique and unparalleled as, according to him, it was the first time in recent times and indeed the history of the fight against terrorism and insurgency that the Chief of Army Staff would visit the fringes of war front and slept in the trenches amidst heavy downpour.

“This singular effort and rare show of leadership by example has boosted the troops’ morale as could be seen on their faces and comments,” noted Usman.

The Chief of Army Staff was accompanied by the Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole and head of Military Command and Control Centre, Major General YM Abubakar, the Commander Multinational Joint Task Force, Major General II Abbas, and other top commanders and officers.

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