The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai

  • Army on top gear to end insurgency – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai on Thursday said the Nigerian Army is on top gear to end insurgency in the North East and the country at large.

    He made the assertion, during the demonstration and closing ceremony of the Sixth Edition of Exercise Vulcan Glow, organized by the Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) in Kachia, Kaduna State.

    Represented by the Commander Nigerian Infantry Corp, Major General Hakeem Okiti, the COAS said the exercise has further reaffirmed Army’s resolve to remain well trained and focused in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

    “This is more so, at a time when the nation and the military is on top gear in addressing security challenges most especially Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal activities bedevilling our nation’s territory,” he said.

    “This exercise which is an annual event will continue to be used to provide the needed training for NACA personnel towards improving their competence and that of the Nigerian Army in general,” Buratai added.

    In his welcome address, the Commander Artillery Corps, Major General Abubakar Tarfa said the exercise is an artillery concentration exercise conducted to practice the planning, preparation, employment and deployment of artillery resources in all phases of conventional and unconventional wars.

    “This year’s Exercise VULCAN GLOW therefore, provided an avenue for the Nigerian Army leadership to confirm NACA preparedness in carrying out its roles in realization of the COAS vision, of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles,” he said

     

  • Obaseki, Buratai chart new logistics support model for Army

    …recommend PPP to meet contemporary needs

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, have called for the adoption of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in logistics support for the Nigerian Army to enable it tackle the nation’s security challenge.

    Obaseki maintained that for the nation’s fight against terrorism and other crimes to succeed, all hands must be on deck to support the Nigerian Army and related security agencies.

    Read Also:FG approves N2bn as take-off of Nigerian Army University

    The governor, who spoke through the Head of Service of the state, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, at the opening ceremony of the 20th Combat Service Support Training Week held at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport in Benin City, emphasised that government alone cannot provide all the logistics need of the Nigerian Army especially in the face of new security challenges.

    “The academia and organised private sector need to share ideas on ways of meeting the contemporary needs of the Nigerian Army” Obaseki said.

    He noted that the theme of the training: “Enhancing Combat Service Support capability through Public Private Partnership to meet Nigerian Army’s Contemporary Challenge” is apt, and commended the security outfit for its planned medical outreach to people in selected communities in the state.

    He added that regular training of security officials is important in the face of new threats to national security and said Edo State’s current status as the most peaceful state in the country, is due in part, to the partnership with the Nigerian Army.

    The Chief of Army Staff said tackling contemporary security challenges in the country requires a more robust logistics plan, noting that to a large extent, logistics determine the capability of any army to perform its duties.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai who was represented by Major General Ademoh Salihu, explained that the need for a more efficient and effective logistics model for the Nigerian Army through public private partnership has become expedient.

    He said the Army’s continued dependence on importation of military hard wares has had adverse effect on their operations especially in the fight against insurgency in the North East region.

    He commended the combat service support corps for their relentless service in the fight against insurgency in the country and urged them to leverage on the three days training opportunity to fashion out ways to enhance their capacity in the provision of logistics to nip the security challenges facing the country in the bud.

     

  • Bandits kill 10 in fresh Birnin-Gwari attack 

    Barely 48 hours after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai launched 2 Battalion Forward Operation Base (FOB) to flush out armed bandits from Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State, the criminals have reportedly killed 10 persons in attacks on four villages in the area.

    The attacks which occurred on Wednesday evening also left scores seriously injured.

    The Nation recalled that, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai had on Monday launched the FOB, and charged his troops to bring victory against the bandits to him in three weeks.

    However, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mukhtar Aliyu who confirmed the incident, said seven persons were killed in the attack which he said occurred on Wednesday.

    He added that, the bandits invaded Mashigi, Dakwaro, Sabongida villages at about 5pm on Wednesday evening, shooting sporadically and burning down houses and farmlands in the affected villages.

    Aliyu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said seven were killed and five others in the attack.

    Read Also: Updated: Again, armed bandits kill 45 in Kaduna village

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar had ordered the immediate deployment of mobile police to the communities.

    The attack came on the heels of the flagged-off of the  two Battalion Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Birnin-Gwari for the ‘operation Idon Raini’ at the Kanfsnin Doka Village proposed base.

    The villages raided by the bandits include; Mashigi, Dakwaro, Sabon gida and one other village close to Dakwaro.

    The attack, according our source occurred at about 5.00pm, according to our source lasted for more than three and half hours.

    He also said the bandits, who rode on motorbikes, as usual in large numbers, killed, burnt houses and food stuff in the various villages that they attacked.

    The source added that the ten bodies of those killed had been recovered from the bush while the volunteers and hunters as well as security operatives were still combing bushes.

    Members of the community under the aegis of the Birnin-Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance said “A member of volunteers, Malam Umar said so far ten bodies of people killed were recovered, while many are unaccounted for. Also the Armed bandits burnt houses and grains stock of the affected villages.

    “Already volunteers from the southern axis of Birnin-Gwari and Security men were mobilized to ascertain the number of casualties.

    “The affected villages are in need of aid, such as food, shelter and clothes.

    “Despite this attacks and Kidnappings daily along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, we are saluting the Federal government and security agencies for deployment of personnel to deal with the situation in Birnin-Gwari.

    “We hope more troops and special police task force will be deployed.”

     

  • We’re ever ready to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity – Air Chief

    We’re ever ready to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity – Air Chief

    The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar has said that, the Nigerian Air Force is ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of the country.

    The Chief of Air Staff’s statement is coming barely a week after his army counterpart; Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai disclosed that some unscrupulous politicians have been approaching his officers and men for political assistance.

    Air Mashall Sadique Abubakar spoke while addressing the rank and file of the force in Kaduna on Wednesday during the second quarter meeting with branch chiefs, AOCs, Commanders and Commandants of NAF.

    The CAS told the senior officers that, the Air Force must continue to carry out its constitutional duties professionally and ensure that territorial integrity of Nigeria is not undermined by any group or groups.

    According to him, “We are more than ever committed to defend the territorial integrity of this country.

    “We are also more than ever committed to monitor oil criminals and other activities challenging smooth running of the country. We are going to equip the various units so they can perform their roles effectively”.

    Abubakar said the reason for the meeting was to appraised the activities both operational and logistics and other activities of the air force so as to articulates what its intend to achieved in the second quarter.

    The CAS who also commissioned the newly rehabilitated 401 flights control tower, said the new structure and the modern equipment therein will assist greatly the operation of the flying training school.

    “The control tower is a very important infrastructure in over role flying activities of the military in Kaduna area.

    “What we have here now is a better equipment, stress-free compared to what was there before and we believe that with what we have here is going to add value to what we are doing in terms of training and air traffic control”, he said.

     

  • Buratai! Quietly repositioning the army

    Justin Amuna

    Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai! Some call him the soldier’s soldier others call him the gentleman soldier. One thing that is endearing to all about him is the gentle smile he beams every time he appears and the mien of confidence and competence.

    He caught my attention when he served as commander Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo shield in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The mandate then was to restore peace in the restive Niger Delta area and the General demonstrated his capacity to deliver as he efficiently mobilized the task force under his control to achieve peace in the area, and in record time. I watched a few interviews he granted subsequently after the “victory” and I was impressed by the humility in the tone of his words, which is a trait not too common in this part of the world; especially when you bear a gun.

    By the time he was done with the task, security had improved tremendously in Rivers and Bayelsa state. Oil theft, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes had been contained tremendously. Soldiers that served under him then could testify to how seriously he took the issue of welfare of men and women under him. Several renovations and rehabilitations were carried out in their barracks to ensure an ideal level of comfort for the officers within the task force.

    When I heard he has been announced as the force commander of the multi-national joint task force(MNJTF) to tackle the Boko Haram menace , I was very elated, those who know this Soldier will attest that he is a complete no nonsense soldier who discharges his duties with the highest form of professionalism and discipline.

    I am certain that President Muhammadu Buhari expressed a sign of full confidence in his competence by appointing Tukur Yusuf Buratai as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Just like I had thought, he got down to business immediately and backed by a new commander in chief, the stage was now set for the full onslaught thereafter unleashed on Boko Haram.

    At this point the stage was set for a revolution in the fight against Boko Haram; Buratai was now fully in charge of the army and he was not going to be the type of chief that will be commanding operations from a cozy office in Abuja. Within days of his appointment as COAS he was back in Maiduguri, he also travelled within different formations in the north east to boost the morale of the troops at the fore front of the fight.

    He did not only assure them of improvements on their welfare but backed it up with action, within a few weeks the same army that fled from Boko Haram terrorists a few month ago were now doing the chase, taking back territories that had hitherto been possessed by Boko Haram for years.

    Within months of being appointed as chief of army staff things, the entire outlook on the terrorism war changed, with the Nigerian troops leading the onslaught and rescuing several hostages, the success achieved within a short period was like a miracle even to an individual like me who has always been aware of Gen Buratai’s antecedent.

    Suddenly Nigerians started to believe in the Nigerian army again with several commendations from Individual and places that had earlier criticized them for not doing enough against the insurgents.

    Some people say Nigeria needs strong institutions and not strong men, true! However, in some cases strong men are required to help rebuild our institutions and then restore the confidence required in running such institutions going forward; after all, weak people are not likely going to possess the competence to build strong institutions.

    In the short while he has been COAS, just like every other human he has had his dark moment. One of such is the clash with the Shiite group in Zaria and as much as I sympathize with the families of those that lost loved ones, I will also say that it is foolhardy for any group of people to attack soldiers violently and also threaten to kill them without expecting self -defense from the soldiers, more so in a convoy conveying the COAS.

    I am sure they were not expecting to get a pat on the back for that especially when the nation was still battling with an extremist group Boko Haram that almost succeeded in running over the whole country. The army, given that scenario was definitely not going to be taking any chances with the open and violent Shiite group.

    That said, I think the military can measure its reaction next time to reduce the number of collateral damage. The military though has submitted itself for investigation by the panel set up by the Kaduna state government; let us hope that the truth behind this incident is unraveled quickly.

    Despite the Kaduna case, I think COAS has performed way above average to put it in modes terms of human right and civil-military relations. I have also observed that the allegations of abuse of human right against the Nigeria army which hitherto was a regular occurrence has lately disappeared despite the significant victories recorded against the Boko Haram sect in recent times. I cannot recall a word of complain from Amnesty International or our own National Human Rights Commission and this is largely because Lt Gen Buratai from the onset made it clear that he will not support any of such abuse by the army under him.

    This leadership trait is what has trickled down to the rank and file of the army as the COAS continues to emphasize the need for the army to stick to their rules of engagement at all time irrespective of the level of provocation.

    The General who hails from Buratai town in Biu local government area of Borno state has had his fair share of the Boko Haram dose , his house was attacked by Boko Haram terrorist whilst he was commander of the joint task force in the Niger Delta, such was the situation then in Borno, Yobe and in fact Adamawa states. No one and nowhere was safe Including a General’s house, but today all of that is almost history.

    The residents of places like Maiduguri, Gamborou, Dalori and other such places are best positioned to tell the difference in the last one year, if anyone is happy about the progress made by the army, no one can be happier than the residents of these areas, some of which were under Boko Haram controls for several months.

    The army has achieved a lot in just about a year of Lt Gen Buratai’s appointment as COAS, we certainly look forward to more progress and exploits as he settles in to transform the Nigerian army into the strongest and most formidable army in Africa at first and subsequently one of the strongest armies in the world.

    Amuna is an environmental activist based in Port Harcourt.