By OKOSUN DENNIS
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday eulogised the Nigerian Army Engineers (NAE) for their exemplary contributions to mitigating incidence of bomb explosions in the northeast.
Speaking at the commissioning of a 41-room and parlour apartment named “Gen Buratai Sappers Lodge” in Bonny Cantonment, explained that field reports indicated that NAE has helped at reducing Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists going off at the theatre of operation in the north east.
Represented by Maj Gen Chris Jemitola, Commander, Corps of Signal, added that it was unfortunate recent explosions that led to the death of officers and soldiers.
He observed that in the last few months, there have been relative peace in the region noting that the incidences of recent explosions are “few incidences that are far in between. It is unfortunate they happened and we are addressing it,” he reiterated.
The COAS said, “Army Engineers have contributed in various aspects. They helped the NA to leave, move and fight. They are also helping civilian populace in various dimensions, he added.
The event which took place simultaneously with the handing and taking over by the Commander, Corps of Engineers, the outgoing commander, Maj Gen ECN Obi, in his welcome remarks, said he was motivated to embark on the construction of the one-stoery block because of the daunting challenges of accommodation for officers of the corps.
Noting that the security challenges in the country resulted in the increasing demand for NAE personnel particularly in the area of IED/C-IED roles saying they have done extremely well in tackling the insurgents.
“There was, therefore, the need to train our personnel on the use and handling of modern IED and Explosive Ordinance Devices equipment.
Luckily, the COAS recently procured some of these equipment such as the BOZENA 5, the AMTRAC 400 series and some handheld IED detecting gadgets.
Gen Obi noted with enthusiasm that the building would serve as a motivating factor to officers of the corps.
The signing of handing over notes was the climax of the event at the Headquarters which witnessed by officers of the corps.
The incoming commander, Maj Gen Olusegun Adeleke, said he would key into the successes of his predecessor to move the corps to the next level. Before his appointment as the Commander, NAE, Gen Adeleke was the Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation. Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Maj Gen Obi, the outgoing commander took over as the corps commander on the 21 August, 2015.