From Sadiq Abubakar
Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state has appealed to the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and other top military officers as a matter of priority to change their strategy in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno. State and North East region with a view to end the lingering war that is over a decade.
Zulum made the appeal while speaking at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd combined Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Conference held at the Command Guest house, Maimalaru Cantonment Maiduguri on Tuesday.
He said “I call on the military to change its strategy to end the decade long insurgency. I urge you to take the battle to the insurgents. You should conduct clearance operations.
“I urge the COAS to always consider competence, dedication and commitment officers in the posting of commanders in the counter insurgency war, as most of the places where competence and commitment were heading never fall in the hands of insurgents.
“I understand that this conference will afford the Nigerian Army the opportunity to discuss and review your operations in the 2020 and focused for the future.
“The road to attaining peace is not an easy one. it is always hard rough and difficult but we must do everything possible to end this war”, Zulum said.
Speaking further he added, “we have a common problem, common enemy. We must collectively work to fight our common enemy.
“This conference gives the Nigerian Army the opportunity to look into it’s past operation,, challenges and plan for the future. I therefore urge you to come with fruitful strategy”.
While commending the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and other security operatives in the recent renewed vigour in the fight against Boko Haram, the Governor commiserated and sympathized with the families of Col Dahiru Bako and other security operatives that lost their lives while in active service , saying,”their blood will not be in vein”.
Also in his opening remarks, the COAS, Lt General Tukur Buratai said “the year 2020 begins with a lot of promises but due to COVID -19 pandemic and the lockdown restrictions, we could not achieve our plans”.
“However, the Nigerian Army had to adjusted. We could not hold this year COAS conference through out the 1st, 2nd quarter. Today we are here for the “1st, 2nd and 3rd quaters combined COAS conference”.
“This conference will enable us discuss and review our operations and also afford us the opportunity to appraise our Internal operations and aid to civil operations as mandated by the constitution.
“So far, our operations have been successful but I urge you to redouble your efforts so that we will rid the country of insurgency, armed banditry, kidnaping and other crimes”, Buratai said.
The COAS however explained that Nigerian Army has recently received some military hardwares that will be soon deployed into its various operations for more successes.
“As for the welfare of the troops, more especially those that were killed in service, remains the priority of the Army under my leadership. We are commencing the construction of houses for the fallen heroes of the of the section troops,” Buratai said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Policy and Plans, Lt General Lamidi Adeosun said, ” the COAS conference usually comes in every quarter but early this year, when we were preparing for the first quarter conference, Nigeria witnessed it’s first case of COVID -19 that led to suspension of all activities online with COVID- 19 protocols but thank God who easied the COVID- 19 restrictions.
“Then COAS approved for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd combined conference holding today in Mauduguri.
” I urge you to make good use of the conference by giving your contributions and deliberate well on how best to enhance your operations”.
