Buhari gives kudos to military on counter-terrorism

By ODIMMEGWA JOHNPETER, Abuja

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the armed forces for their handling of the ongoing operations against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-east and Lake Chad Basin area.

Buhari stated this while inaugurating the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) at the Mambilla Barracks in Abuja, where he charged the military to sustain the tempo.

The president who was represented by the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), stressed that the military policy thrust of his administration was the enhancement of capacity of the armed forces towards maximum operational achievements.

He assured them of his preparedness to provide the conducive environment that would enable them to perform effectively, optimally and rank among the best in the world. He said:

“We will continue to provide the much needed support to the armed forces for efficient service delivery and effective discharge of your responsibilities.

“I commend the commitment and zeal of the leadership of the armed forces in tackling security issues across the country. I also applaud their successes in the counter insurgency operations in the North-east region and I urge you to sustain the tempo.”

In the same vein, Buhari commended the Nigerian army for the establishment of the Resource Centre, which was formerly known as Nigerian Army Museum and was upgraded by the Civil Military Department of the Nigerian Army.

According to him, there are enormous benefits inherent in the establishment of the Centre, which would serve as a think-tank to provide solution to the problems of the Nigerian military.

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“I have been rightly informed that the Centre was established to serve as a think-tank to proffer solutions to identified problems through research and brainstorming that would lead to robust strategies to propel the Nigerian army forward. The wisdom and noble initiative behind the establishment of this Centre by the Chief of Army Staff is quite commendable and legendary,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, revealed that the vision behind the establishment of the resource centre was anchored on the need to optimize the capability of the army. Buratai also noted that contemporary security challenges in the country and around its borders had stretched the military close to its limits. He, however, emphasized on the need to optimize the capability of the army to meet emerging security challenges.

“The Nigerian Army Resource Centre is a vision that is anchored on the need to ensure that the army does not only participate in the ground battle but indeed in all terrain to ensure that our adversaries are defeated wherever they are.

“As you are aware, Nigeria faces sundry security challenges, but our main focus has been in counter-insurgency operations in the North-east.” Speaking further, the army chief assured Nigerians of the army’s readiness in conjunction with sister agencies to rid the country of criminal elements operating in the guise of militants, terrorists and others.