C-in-C Concern: Buratai orders change of tactics, action as he holds special, exclusive meeting with Army Commanders, relocates ‘Nigerian Army Celebration Day’ to Katsina

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Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, middle, during the special and exclusive meeting with top commanders at the Army Headquarters Abuja, on Monday, June 22, 2020.

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By Olanrewaju Awosanya, Abuja

Propelled, more impactfully, by the statement last week credited to the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, that the military’s best in tackling insecurity in the country was not good enough, authorities of the Nigerian Army are rejigging their strategies.

This they have resorted to do in permanently stamping out Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa Province, banditry and militancy as well as other similar crimes posing challenges to national security in Northern and Southern Nigeria. 

The development arose as the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, charged top ranking officers and cimmanders of the foremost military agency telling them it’s time for action.

General Buratai made this charge at a special and exclusive meeting he had yesterday Monday June 22, 2020 with his Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and Field Commanders at the Army Headquarters Abuja.

The meeting he said was “to serve as a time for action, a time to change the war narrative and a wake up call in our efforts to combat Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency, North West Banditry as well as the myriad of other security challenges across the country,” the Acting Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sagir Musa, who addressed the Defence Correspondents including that of The DEFENDER after the meeting, said.

At the end of the Chief of Army Staff Conference, Col. Musa said one of the key decisions taken was to relocate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020 to Katsina State during which a major Army exercise nicknamed EX SAHEL SANITY will be conducted.

Speaking to the press, the DAPR, Col. Sagir Musa, said: “The Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai had a special and exclusive meeting with his Principal Staff Officers, General Officers Commanding and Field Commanders at the Army Headquarters Abuja on Monday 22 June 2020.

“The meeting is specifically intended to serve as a time for action, a time to change the war narrative and a wake up call in our efforts to combat Boko Haram terrorism and insurgency, North West Banditry as well as the myriad of other security challenges across the country.

“The meeting discussed on wide ranging security matters, the state of the counter terrorism and other Internal Security Operations in Nigeria and the necessity for Commanders, officers and men to redouble their efforts and ensure that all security threats in the country are effectively checkmated.

“Gen Buratai directed all commanders/GOCs, officers and men of the Nigerian Army to ensure that the charge given by the President and Commander – in- Chief must be fully implemented so as to speedily crush BH terrorism and the myriad of security threats facing the nation. The COAS states that “the criminals and their collaborators and sponsors must be exposed, flushed out and destroyed”.

“He further stated that already the Nigerian Army has commenced major reorganization of her operations for optimal performances. He charged all Commanders to lead the charge by being out in the field to effectively oversee the operations.

“Gen Buratai warned that he wants to see an all encompassing positive changes in the NA operations and the security situation in the country. According to him “there is no time for complacency, no time for excuses and there will be no tolerance for shortcomings or failures, the situation must be reversed immediately”.

“At the end of the Conference, one of the key decisions taken was to shift the location for Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020 to Katsina State during which a major Army exercise nicknamed EX SAHEL SANITY will be conducted,” he said.

Responding to questions by journalists especially on his reaction to statement credited to the President Buhari that ‘the best of the security agents’ effort at combating insecurity in Nigeria was not good enough, Col. Musa it was an expression of a concerned leader.

“The President is the Commander-in-Chief who is at liberty to express his concern on security matters of the nation. For us; it is a wake-up call that calls for speedy response from all security agencies,” he said.

He dismissed the insinuations of lack of synergy or no love lost among the service chiefs which people say arguably gives room for hightened insecurity in the land.

“There is no such thing as no love lost among the security agencies. Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies have always been working in synergy for the purpose of safeguarding the lives and properties of the people and country.

Col. Sagir Musa found interesting the question concerning the viral videos of soldiers protesting abt their welfare and gave a ready answer.

“I tell you, most of the videos you see soldiers lamenting were done before the arrival of this current CSO. Troops welfare has been of top priority in his agender. We are highly motivated in the discharge of our duties.”


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