Sustain Your Ruthlessness Against Terrorists, Buratai Tells Soldiers
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has charged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) deployed in Madagali, Adamawa State to remain ruthless against terrorists. Addressing the soldiers during a visit yesterday, the military chief implored them to maintain the current tempo of the onslaught against the insurgents. He pledged that the Federal Government would provide the needed support to enable them to prosecute the war against insurgency and other criminal activities nationwide.
Buratai commended the troops for their gallantry in dealing with the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the region.His words: “I am glad to be here with you because this is one of the areas that has been quite strategic in the operation of OPLD.You have done great and I want to commend you for standing firm against all the criminals whatever name they called themselves whether Boko Haram, ISWAP or bandits.“Do not give them any breathing space. That means you must go out at all times, day and night, whether rain or shine and make sure you deal with them.
“These criminals want to balkanise our country and we must not allow it.”The COAS said the welfare package of the troops would be reviewed from next year in line with the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari.According to him, the army authorities would continue to provide befitting accommodation for families of the troops.He went on: “Schools will also be improved upon and you are very much aware of the improvement in the institutions like Command Secondary Schools and Command Children Schools.
“Rest assured that we will do everything possible to improve on them to make them more conducive.“This is the job and you must do it at all times and I assure you that we will not leave you behind, we will carry you along.”In a related development, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for the deployment of modern technology to tackle the pervasive insecurity in the country.
In a statement at the weekend in Kaduna by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, the group urged all levels of government to bring succour to Nigerians through effective implementation of their 2020 budgets.It noted that with the signing into law of the 2020 national budget, the Financial Bill and the amendment to the Production Sharing Contracts, “Nigerians now look forward to its full implementation in order to bring about some succours to the people.
“Most importantly, we expect improvement in infrastructure like power, transportation, diversification in agriculture to sustain food security and employment opportunities to our teeming youths, and also mineral resources exploration.”
The ACF particularly sought execution of the Lagos-Kano rail, with construction running simultaneously from both Lagos and Kano to fast-track the project.It went on: “On the Federal Government’s priority of providing security to lives and property, we expect serious commitment to vigorously tackle insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and communal clashes that have continued to affect our socio-economic and political development.
“In this respect, all necessary equipment and modern technology must be deployed in security operations. At the same time, the welfare of military and other security personnel should be enhanced and promptly attended to.”On the fight against corruption, the northern leaders appealed for synergy among the executive, judiciary and relevant agencies to hasten all pending cases of corruption in order to make the fight meaningful. “There should be transparency and accountability in all government business, where performance is rewarded and corruption punished accordingly,” they added.
