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Tag: Buratai

  • ‘I’ll only return to school if Buratai is the gateman’

    ‘I’ll only return to school if Buratai is the gateman’

    …no girl is abducted – Yobe Education commissioner insist

    Faiza Mohammed, one of the girls who escaped Boko Haram onslaught at Government Girls Science and Technical  College Dapchi  said she will not go back to school except the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai is the gateman of the school.

    Faiza statement underscores the need for authorities to beef up security in the school so as to build confidence both among the students and parents who are at the moment apprehensive of the resurgence attacks especial the Monday attack on the school.

    The attack on the school has also caused some level of panic across the northern part of Yobe State which has witnessed fewer attacks of the insurgents in the last seven years except Geidam.

    According to Faiza who gave a graphic account of the experiences they went through in the process of shielding their presence from the marauding Boko Haram terrorists also informed that one of her classmate was bitten by a snake as they tried to escaped their way through the bushes in the night to unknown destinations.

    Faiza who praised the efforts of their teachers during the time noted that, “our teachers tried to keep us together. They tried their best to control us not to scatter into the bush but some stubborn students started jumping the fence to run into the bush. There were some of us that hide into nearby houses from the school”.

    She informed that the Vice Principal Academics and the Vice Principal Admin were together monitoring the movement of the Boko Haram around the school.

    “I told my mother that I will not go back to that school again except Buratai is the gateman. But my sisters Daughter told me that my demands are impossible because Buratai cannot come down to Dapchi to become gateman at my school. What I simply want is for government to provide for us enough security.

    “Because of what my sister said. I will go back but if I see not security, I will just come back and study at home and write my final exams and my JAMB, Faiza said.

    Speaking on the number of students that ran to the bush, Faiza informed that one of her friends and her classmate from Gashua  was bitten by a snake, while others have broken their legs in the process of running into the bush.

    Meanwhile, Yobe State Government has closed down the school for one week, as the Army has launched a search and rescue operation for the missing students.

    The commissioner for Education in the State Hon. Mohammed Lamin has insisted that no child was abducted by Boko Haram but however admitted that some children are still missing from the attack.

    The commissioner in a text message admitted that the insurgents were in Dapchi but no form of abduction took place at the school.

    In the meantime, some parents of the students who are yet to see their children are still faced with frustration and anxiety and trauma after they have not spoke to their children for more than 48 hours.

    Some of them have taken to the social media to demand explanation on the missing girls.

    One of the parent wrote on his faebook page as captured by our correspondent thus:

    #Tragedy #Disaster#Trauma #Emergency
    Where are our Girls?
    Following the attack on Dapchi my hometown by suspected Boko Haram members and their penetration into the Government Girls Science and Technical College in the town on Monday 19/2/2018. A lot of families are left in confusion and trauma of not knowing the whereabout of their daughters and the authorities concerned did not give any genuine  feedback to the people.
    The Authorities insist the  Girls are missing while parents of the Girls and Community members including myself have established that those girls were abducted by the insurgents just as the widely  publicized Chibok Girls.
    I am by this urging the Government at all levels to be sincere with us and let us know and possibly participate in any effort put in place for  finding  the “missing ” girls. To the  media also, your investigative reportage  should not just stop at political wrangling, this  is a time  the  helpless community people need your  services.
    So far, within Dapchi town alone, nothing is heard of over forty girls and no Authority consoled their families after almost 48hrs. Haba!

    One of the teachers told our correspondent that over 70 students are still missing.

    In the latest update, the Yobe State Police Commissioner Abudulmaliki Sunmonu told journalist in Damaturu that  a total of  815  students have been physically counted and seen out of 926 student population of the school.

    We have physically seen 815 students out of the 926 students in the school. That gives you the figure of 111 still missing,” CP Sunmonu said

    He informed that the rescue operation comprising the police, military and the DSS is still ongoing in the gener

     

  • Buratai to troops: get Shekau dead or alive

    Buratai to troops: get Shekau dead or alive

    Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has restated his order to troops to capture Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau doed or alive.

    Gen. Buratai spoke at Camp Zairo, the former command and control centre of the terrorists in the Sambisa forest during an operational visit to troops.

    In 2017, the army chief gave troops a 40-day ultimatum to capture Shekau. The army last week offered a N3 million reward for information on the terrorist.

    Troops destroyed the camp in January in an operation tagged “Deep Punch II’’ and are now dominating the general area of the forest.

    The military sacked Shekau from the camp in December, 2016 but the terrorists have been launching pockets of attacks.

    Other locations visited by Gen. Buratai are Bita and Tukumbere, all settlements within the forest but almost deserted due to the insurgency.

    “Let me say congratulations. But, we must move across to wherever this criminal, Shekau is and catch him red handed. I want you to get him.

    “Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces says ‘congratulations’ to all of you for recovering the Sambisa Forest.

    “As far as we are concerned, we have come to the end of this operation (clearing the forest of remnants of terrorists).

    “What is remaining now is the Lake Chad waters only and we hope to do that (clear terrorists from it) also very soon.

    “You all know these criminals are still on the run; these guys are on the run, you must make sure that you get them wherever they are around this area.

    “You must not allow them to escape. Everyday, you must go on patrol, lay ambush for them and you go on raids.

    “This is the time we have to consolidate and ensure that this place – Sambisa forest – is safe and never for these criminals to come back to it,’’ Gen. Buratai told the troops.

    The Chief of Army Staff said that he was in Sambisa and Camp Zairo to confirm their capture, destruction and domination by the gallant troops.

    “We are going to transform this place, apart from making it a training area.

    “We are going to have a modern defence establishment in terms of the provision of basic requirements for your comfort and indeed for your operations.

    “We are already making sure that the first set of facilities are brought here,’’ the army chief said.

    Gen. Buratai promised the troops a special package to boost their morale.

    “We are going to have some special packages for all of you that penetrated this forest.

    “We will make sure that your morale is high by making the necessary provision for you to be comfortable,’’ he added.

    On rotation of troops, the army chief said that plans were on to rotate those who had stayed long in the theatre of operation.

    “This is in our plan. I know that some of you were inducted here right from the depot but we are doing something for you to be properly deployed and properly accommodated as well.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that 3,000 troops would be inducted into the Operation Lafiya Dole this week, to replace those who had stayed long.

    Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole,, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said with the capture of camp Zairo “the soul and mind of Boko Haram have been broken in Sambisa forest”.

    “They don’t have a place to hide. We are still going round to make sure that some of them that are hiding in holes, we intend to fish them out,’’ Nicholas said.

    He said that on assumption of duty in 2017, the chief of army staff tasked him to capture Camp Zairo and clear Boko Haram from the Sambisa forest.

    “Troops have finally cleared the forest of remnants and we are presently occupying camp Zairo as well as all the little settlements and camps within the forest.’’

    Staff Sgt. Dauda Mohammed, one of the troops who participated in the operations that finally destroyed Camp Zairo and clear the forest of remnants of terrorists, attributed their success to the Almighty God.

  • Buhari, governors attend third day prayer for Buratai’s late father

    Buhari, governors attend third day prayer for Buratai’s late father

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima and the governors of Edo, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara  on Sunday joined the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Tukur Buratai to observe the third day prayers for the repose of his father, Yusuf.
    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, was represented by a government delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari.
    Kyari was accompanied by the Minister of state Power, Works and Housing, Sulaiman Hassan Zarma,  Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Alhaji Ismaila Isa, and presidential aides, Ya’u Darazo, Sarki Abba and Garba Shehu.
    The Permanent Secretary, State House Jalal Arabi was also on the delegation.
    The President in his message, which was read by Minister Sulaiman Hassan listed the good qualities of the deceased which included honesty, patriotism and the fear of God, adding that these had endeared the late Yusuf to people of different backgrounds.
    The President described the late father of the Chief of Army Staff, himself a veteran of the World War 11 as a “man of exemplary conduct who had left behind lasting legacies for his nation and beyond. He has indeed left behind a good name and reputation to be proud of.”
    Governor Kashim Shettima who responded on behalf of the grieving family and the people of the state said that his people will remain forever indebted to President Muhammadu Buhari for restoring peace to the Northeast.
    He assured that they would continue to support the administration.

  • Buratai: World World II Legend Goes Home

    “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

    -George Orwell
    War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
    This is the story of a legend that proved that Africa and indeed Nigeria could hold its own even in the international arena. Enter the world of Baba Yusuf Buratai, a veteran of the World War two, a legend who despite all odds made his mark in his lifetime, and not only that, he left behind a legacy in the mould of a gift to humanity and Nigeria, which is the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai.

    Baba Buratai may have crossed to the great beyond, but his legacies would ever remain fresh in our hearts. For those who knew him, one thing was constant. He was a man of unequal bravery and dedication. He believed in the unity of Nigeria and humanity. He fought for peace to reign in his lifetime. Though not an academic, his counsels stood germane then, now and would continue in the future.
    Little wonder the exploits of his son, Lt. General Tukur Buratai in the current fight against the Boko Haram Insurgency. When Lt.General Tukur Buratai took over the helms of affairs of the Nigerian Army, many didn’t know his background as the son of a World War 2 veteran. Not many knew he was a man of steel. Not many knew he had a mentor who had shared war memoirs with him. Not many knew his antecedents and doubted his ability to deliver on the job.
    In some quarters, it is said that Baba Buratai bequeathed his son to Nigeria in 1981 when he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He carefully watched his progress in the Nigerian Army. He was always there to render advice to him. And one of which was to be loyal to his superiors and constituted authority.
    Given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned, it’s tempting I think to remember Baba Buratai as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. In his lifetime, he taught the power of action, but he also showed us the power of ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those who you agree with but also those who you don’t agree with.
    For the entire Buratai family, for those he inspired in Borno and other parts of the country, Baba Bauratai’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, as well as a time to celebrate a heroic life. But it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. With honesty, regardless of our station or our circumstance, we must ask: How well have I applied his lessons in our own lives?
    One of Baba’s greatest legacies remains his contributions to humanity as a WW2 Hero, who saw to global peace for all humanity. We all know of his record as a soldier, and he was a tough soldier. Baba was a man of the land. He defended this nation like a lion, and he taught its children to swing a scythe. He was a military legend in his lifetime, and he indeed passed the baton to his son, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, who has graciously continued to do the nation proud in the war against Boko Haram insurgents.

    Baba was indomitable; he had a north star that guided him. A north star from which he never deviated. His north star was the survival of the Nigerian nation. Nigeria has indeed lost a dear man and a bold warrior. We are therefore consoled by the fact that Baba lived to witness some of the most significant exploits of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai and the humbling of Boko Haram in his lifetime.

    In some instances, Baba felt like returning to the battlefront to confront the Boko Haram Insurgents, but strength failed him. His consolation was that his son was leading the onslaught, which brought him happiness.
    We stand with our country and the rest of the world to mourn with the Chief of Army Staff, the Buratai family, and the entire nation. If wishes were horses, Baba would remain with us. But who are we to question God? But we are consoled with his exploits here on earth and the legacies he left behind. We are also comforted by the fact that his son, Lt. General TY Buratai indeed proved himself worthy of leading the war against the Boko Haram Insurgents.

    While Baba might not be with us in the flesh, he remains with us in spirit. We use this medium to assure the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General TY Buratai that his efforts towards keeping Nigeria one would not go in vain. We also want to charge him to continue his good works and never to relent. If not for anything, to continue to make Baba proud wherever he is.

    We also know that the entire Buratai family has lost a great patriarch. We console with them. May Allah SWT grant you and your family sabr (sabar) in this challenging time and reward you with Khair both in this world and the next. Ameen. May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul-Firdaus and forgive his sins. May He make his grave a place of comfort and light. Ameen.

    May Almighty Allah dwell him in Jannataul-Firdaus, the most beautiful paradise. May Allah SWT in his mercy, grant him rest, may his grave be a part of Jannatul Firdaus and an abode of light. May Allah make him pass successfully in all the stages of the life after death. Ameen.

    OKANGA sent in this Tribute from Agila, Benue State.

  • Army begins Exercise Cat Race in Benue, Taraba, others

    Army begins Exercise Cat Race in Benue, Taraba, others

    The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday it would begin a major deployment of troops to the troubled states of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi and Niger to restore peace and orderliness.

    The exercise is tagged: Ayem Akpatuma (Tiv Language) meaning Cat Race.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the exercise which runs from February 15 to March 31 would be targetted at killer herdsmen, cattle rustlers, armed bandits, kidnappers, armed militias and other criminal elements in the six states.

    Addressing journalists at the army headquarters in Abuja, Buratai said the exercise would cover the 1 and 3 Divisions, representing the North West and North Central geopolitical zones of the country, while the Guards Brigade, 707 Special Forces Brigade, and the Headquarters Army Command would also be involved in the exercise.

    Buratai, who was represented at the briefing by the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major- Gen. David Ahmadu, said other security agencies that would be participating in the exercise are the Department of State Security (DSS) the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security organisations in the country.

     

  • Paucity of funds stalling fight against Boko Haram – Buratai

    Paucity of funds stalling fight against Boko Haram – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Thursday that paucity of funds was inhibiting the army’s efforts to deal decisively with the security challenge posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

    Buratai told the Senate Committee on Army that the same lack of resources was affecting the army bids to tackle other security challenges in the country.

    The army chief stated these when he appeared before the committee to defend the 2018 budget of the Nigeria Army.

    He said most security challenges could have been nipped in the bud if needed resources were made available to them.

    Buratai, who welcomed the suggestion by the committee that the army and other security agencies should be placed on first line charge, noted that “the first line charge advocacy is very important.”

    He said they welcomed 100 per cent release of their budgetary allocation in line with the first line charge advocacy.

    On the budget, he said the Budget and National Planning office gave the army N233.05 billion while they requested for N261.67 billion.

    The army chief listed some critical projects needed by the Force to include procurement of drones and aerial reconnaissance center (N2.5b), rehabilitation of barracks (N5bn), procurement of arms and ammunition (N4.8bn), funds for additional three divisions and new operational activation each N1.5 b totaling N4.5b.

    Buratai, who reassured that the Nigeria Army is committed to the protection of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, noted that they are working to clear the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest and dark spots in the North East.

  • Troops’ deployment to battle fronts will be reorganised – Buratai

    Troops’ deployment to battle fronts will be reorganised – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Tuesday the military authorities are currently planning the re-organisation of troops’ deployment to battle fronts to achieve operational efficiency.

    Buratai, who did not give details of the plan, however said the military would pursue its goals and objectives diligently in line with the constitution of the country.

    He made the remarks while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Defence at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

    The army chief said the military would remain apolitical and observe the supremacy of the political class over military institutions in the country.

    He said:  “Let me assure you that as one of the arms of the armed forces, we will continue to remain apolitical. We will observe the supremacy of the political class over the military institutions; that is to say political control of the military will remain. We will do our responsibilities diligently in line with the constitution.

    “No doubt, the challenges of accommodation are major challenges that the Nigerian Army has and is grappling with over the years. While the dilapidation and sorry state of our barracks cannot be blamed on the present authority, both military and political authority, it has been a long standing one.

    “Issues of funding are quite fundamental. But we know that funds are inadequate because of the several competing interests of the various sectors of Nigerian economy. But we have been using funds allocated to us judiciously.

    “The army needs requisite funds to carry out developmental projects and other important commitments. We have the interests of our troops at heart and we know the importance of morale to them. We want to keep their morale high and that is why we are planning to reorganise how troops are deployed to battle fronts in relation to their welfare and other issues.”

  • Reps summon Buratai over alleged forceful land acquisition

    Reps summon Buratai over alleged forceful land acquisition

    The House of Representatives has summoned the Chief of Army Staff ( COAS ), Lt. Gen. Yusuf  Buratai over alleged unlawful  appropriation of hectares of land belonging to the people of Ovwie Kingdom in Delta State.
    The manager of the Nigerian Army Property Ltd was also ordered by the House to appear on 30th January, 2018 over the same issue.
    The Nigerian Army was alleged to have in 1974  appropriated 1,877 hectares of land that was later increased to 2,000 and later to 5,000 in 1994 to build a barrack in Effurun, Delta State.
    The invitation of the COAS followed the reluctance of the representative of the Nigerian Army at Public Petition Committee hearing on Tuesday to supply information requested by the Committee on the issue.
    At the commencement of the hearing, Major Daniel Ehichoya  told the Committee that the the NA would not comment on the matter since it was before a court of law.
    Besides, he claimed that the petitioner had presented a counter claim  at the court for the discontinuation of development on the land.
    He said he would not make any comment on the issue, adding that the Army’s response to whatever question that might arose from the sitting was contained in a  writen presentation earlier made  to the Committee.
    When asked to present the counter claim of the petitioner,  the Army Major also declined.
    When the Committee also asked him to avail it the name of the manager of  the Army Property, who  was directly involved in the case, Ehichoya also declined.
    At this point, Committee Chairman Uzoma Nkem-Abonta educated the Army representative that the parliament was constitutionally empowered to make the request, adding that matter before the court can also be discussed in the parliament to the extent that it will not affect the judgment.
    Nkem-Abonta told the Army representative that he should not force the Committee to request the Nigerian Army  not to allow him represent it before the Committee anymore.
    The Committee expressed shock that the Nigerian Army could mandate three Generals to sell the said land on its behalf, while mandating stoppage of  all ongoing  developments on the land pending the conclusion of the issue.
    “You can’t be insulting the Nigerian Parliament,  you are serving Nigeria and we are doing the same here.
    “Don’t take our requests  personal, these are the same Nigerians you are protecting  but if you are hiding all these requests from us, it means you have no stand,” Nkem-Abonta said.
    The Army representative apologised and presented the Committee with  copies of its requests.
    The Army was also asked to appear with the land titles as well as details of sales and the utilization of what it   generated from the sale.
  • BURATAI WARNS ARMY OFFICERS TO STEER CLEAR OF POLITICS

    BURATAI WARNS ARMY OFFICERS TO STEER CLEAR OF POLITICS

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, yesterday warned officers and soldiers of the Army to steer clear of politics.

    Represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Buratai said his men should “leave politics to the politicians and concentrate on your chosen career.”

    The warning came  at the graduation ceremony of officers who underwent a Regimentation and Leadership training of the 64 RC and SSC 44 course at the 20 Infantry Battalion, Serti in  Taraba State.

    He charged the graduating officers to use the knowledge and experience acquired during their training to help in tackling the current security challenges in the country.

    The COAS said the relevance of the just concluded course in their career as commissioned officers cannot be over-emphasised.

    “It is pertinent to state that the recent gains of the Nigeria Army in the North-East and other internal security operations all over the country is expected to present the challenges of a growing rank of criminal elements and criminal activities,” he said.

    “Such challenges are characterized by kidnapping, assassination, sabotage, armed robbery and other acts of terrorism,” he noted while urging them to lead by example.

     

  • Buratai warns army officers to steer clear of politics

    Buratai warns army officers to steer clear of politics

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Saturday warned officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to steer clear of politics.

    Represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, Buratai said his men should “leave politics to the politicians and concentrate on your chosen career.”

    The warning came at the graduation ceremony of officers who underwent a Regimentation and Leadership training of the 64 RC and SSC 44 course at the 20 Infantry Battalion, Serti, Taraba State.

    He charged the graduating officers to use the knowledge and experience acquired during their training to help in tackling the current security challenges in the country.

    The army chief said the relevance of the just concluded course in their career as commissioned officers cannot be over-emphasised.

    “It is pertinent to state that the recent gains of the Nigeria Army in the North East and other internal security operations all over the country are expected to present the challenges of a growing rank of criminal elements and criminal activities.”

    “Such challenges are characterized by kidnapping, assassination, sabotage, armed robbery and other act of terrorism,” he said.