By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief/Defence Correspondent) @CeleOkaf11
The Nigerian Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, on Saturday, flew into Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for the second time in one month, to assess the operational situation on the ground, as the Army continues sustained military action against the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents.
General Irabor while addressing soldiers on Saturday at the “Operation Lafiya Dole” headquarters in Maiduguri, praised the troops for their resilience, commitment and the successes so far recorded in the tactical war to rout the insurgents. The CDS also informed the soldiers that President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Army, has mandated the fighting forces to bring insecurity in the country to an end in the shortest possible time.
The CDS told the troops that “What I need to let you know is that we have a mandate from him (president) and that mandate must be achieved. So, this is the reason why we are working assiduously. All issues of violence and insecurity, especially within the area of Operation Lafiya Dole, must come to an end,” Irabor said.
The Theatre Commander of 'Operation Lafiya Dole', Major General Farouq Yahaya, who spoke earlier, however, commended the CDS and the Service Chiefs for visiting them, saying the visit would ginger the morale of his men. He told the Security Chiefs that "We are encouraged by this effort of the CDS and service chiefs who have been in touch with us every hour.,”
General Yahaya assured the CDS and the Service Chiefs of the determination and unflinching commitment of his soldiers in meeting up with the expectations of Mr President, the Defence Headquarters and Nigerians in general, in seeing to a timely end to insurgency in the country. He also thanked the visiting Security Chiefs for always responding to the needs of his troops as promised by the new military leadership when they assumed duty.
General Irabor and the Service Chiefs also visited the 7 Division Military Hospital where wounded officers are being given medical treatment to empathize with them. NNL.
