The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said at the executive session of the second day of the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) and Extraordinary Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State that the Operation Python Dance and Crocodile Smile is to tackle the security challenges in the country.
He gave assurance that the Nigerian Army would continue to remain non-political as well as professional and responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties while obeying the rule of law and staying guided by the rules of engagement.
The COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, said “The Nigerian Army belongs to the Nigerian people and it is poised to remain the pride of the nation and the last man in its defence.
In order to maintain the pride, I have laid structures for effective leadership and personnel management, because the Nigerian Army must strive to remain an institution of authority that creates responsibilities, provide direction, inspiration, vision and communicate same to personnel at all times.
“By going in this direction, the Nigerian Army is poised to confront evolving internal and external threats, in order to guarantee the sovereignty of our dear country.
“In so doing, we are avowed to remain firmly apolitical in order to always find ourselves in a good stead to defend our constitution by providing the needed security environment as a guarantee for the survival of our democracy.
Buratai stated that his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time when many officers of the Nigerian Army had lost their lives to the Boko Haram insurgents and most of their locations were lost. He said that upon his appointment, he was charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the insurgents are defeated.
“On December 22, 2016, our gallant troops decimated the insurgents and took over Camp Zairo in Sambisa Forest from them, in what was definitely a landmark development in the ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northeast, as Camp Zairo, which was hitherto the command headquarters of the Boko Haram leadership, was captured by our gallant troops.
The location is now a training area designated Lt. Col. Abu Ali Shooting Range. The troops are almost through with ongoing efforts at completely flushing out remnants of the insurgents from their hideouts in other parts of the forest.
The challenges of cattle rustling, herdsmen and farmers’ clashes and kidnappings in some Northern states and the Middle Belt are being tackled through the conduct of Operation MESA in all the states in the country.
“The challenges of increased militancy, pipeline vandalism and kidnapping in the Southern part of the country have been accorded appropriate attention.
Buratai also stated that under his watch, the performances of troops in assigned operational tasks were being complemented by sustainable welfare programmes.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support for the Nigerian Army while reassuring him of the unflinching loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the defence of democratic governance in Nigeria.
