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Tag: Tukur Buratai

  • Army buries officer, two soldiers in Borno

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai on Tuesday vowed that officers and men of the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in the on-going war against terrorism in the country.

    Lt Gen. Buratai said not withstanding the occasional hitches, the Armed Forces would defeat terrorism and overcome other criminals in the country.

    He made the assertion in Borno state at the burial of Lt Col. Yusuf I Aminu and two soldiers who lost their lives on Monday.

    They were buried at the Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery, Maiduguri, Borno State .

    According to a statement by Army spokesman Col. Sagir  Musa “the  patriotic officer and two  soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while on clearance operations along Mauli-Borgozo axis on Monday, the 13th of May, 2019.”

    Col Musa said : “The late Lieutenant Colonel Yusuf Ibrahim Aminu was the Commanding Officer (CO) of 154 Task Force Battalion Borgozo.

    Read Also: Troops eliminate scores of terrorists in Borno

    “He was on a clearance operation along Mauli- Borgozo when his vehicle  climbed on a buried  Improvised Explosive Device which detonated resulting in losing his life and that of 2 other soldiers while others were wounded in action.

    “Commiserating with the family of the deceased, the COAS used the opportunity to again commend the efforts of the entire troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the war on terror and charged them to remain steadfast, more committed and professional for the sake of Nigeria.

    “The sacrifices of all the deceased officers and soldiers of the NA is no doubt painful to all, but that will further ginger the serving gallant troops to do more to ensure that the nation remains secure and peaceful.

    “Present at the solemn occasion were the Chief of Training and Operations ‘Army’, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, Theatre Commander OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Benson Akinroluyo, Corp Commander Engineers, Major General John Malu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brig Gen Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, Corps Commander Supply and Transport, Major General Victor Offiong, Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, Theatre Command and HQ 7 Division amongst others.

  • Military will defeat terrorism, says Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai has vowed that officers and men of the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in the on-going war against terrorism in the country.

    Lt Gen. Buratai said notwithstanding the occasional hitches, the armed forces would defeat terrorism and overcome other criminals in the country.

    He made the assertion in Borno state at the burial of Lt Col. Yusuf I Aminu and two soldiers who lost their lives on Monday.

    They were buried at the Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetery, Maiduguri, Borno State.

    According to a statement signed by Army spokesman Col. Sagir  Musa “the  patriotic officer and two  soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while on clearance operations along Mauli-Borgozo axis on Monday, the 13th of May, 2019.”

    Col Musa said: “The late Lieutenant Colonel Yusuf Ibrahim Aminu was the Commanding Officer (CO), of 154 Task Force Battalion Borgozo.

    Read also: Boko Haram: Troops rescue 29 women, 25 children in Borno

    “He was on a clearance operation along Mauli- Borgozo when his vehicle climbed on a buried  Improvised Explosive Device which detonated resulting in losing his life and that of 2 other soldiers while others were wounded in action.

    “Commiserating with the family of the deceased, the COAS used the opportunity to again commend the efforts of the entire troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in the war on terror and charged them to remain steadfast, more committed and professional for the sake of Nigeria.

    “The sacrifices of all the deceased officers and soldiers of the NA is no doubt painful to all, but that will further ginger the serving gallant troops to do more to ensure that the nation remains secure and peaceful.

    “Present at the solemn occasion were the Chief of Training and Operations ‘Army’, Major General Lamidi Adeosun, Theatre Commander OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Benson Akinroluyo, Corp Commander Engineers, Major General John Malu, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Brig Gen Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, Corps Commander Supply and Transport, Major General Victor Offiong, Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, Theatre Command and HQ 7 Division amongst others.”

     

  • Army reorganises Exercise Harbin Kunama to flush out bandits

    The Nigerian Army has reorganised the operations of Exercise Harbin Kunama III to make it more effective in curtailing the activities of fleeing bandits, kidnappers and cattle-rustlers in the Northwest.

    Addressing newsmen at the Army Headquarters on Friday in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, said the reorganisation was necessary considering the resurgence of bandits, kidnappers and other criminals in the zone.

    Buratai, who lauded the Governors of the Northwest for the support they gave the army and its personnel in the past few months, called on residents to be patient with the military as they prepare to flush out remnants of bandits and other criminals.

    The Army Chief, who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Major Gen. Lamid Adeosun said: “I am pleased to inform you all that the exercise has so far achieved tremendous successes within the past one month.

    “Several bandits and criminal elements have been captured and killed while some camps, hideouts and equipment of the criminals have been destroyed.

    “It has however been observed that there appear to be a resurgence of their activities in other contiguous States to Zamfara.

    Read Also: Army confirms killing 4 bandits in Zamfara

    “This is occasioned by fleeing bandits that have resorted to attacking soft targets while relocating to other safe havens within contiguous States of Katsina and Sokoto.

    “Current threat assessments revealed the migration of the bandits from their epicenter to other areas in Kaduna, Kano and Niger States.

    “It is against this backdrop that Exercise HARBIN KUNAMA III is being re-organised and its mandate expanded to effectively ensure the complete defeat of the fleeing bandits.

    “This is to restore public confidence and enhance safety while also ensuring socio-economic activities continue without fear or intimidation.

    “It is on this premise that I want to plead with the general public to persevere in the face of seeming inconveniences due to restrictions that may be imposed in these areas while the Nigerian Army is conducting the exercise.

    “The Nigerian Army mandate is aimed at building confidence and ensuring our country is rid of criminal elements that are poised to destabilize the normal life, rights and freedom of the people across the country as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

    “I want to assure the general public that the Nigerian Army will carry out its constitutional mandate professionally and within the ambit of the law while adhering to the ROE.

    “Consequently, I urge the general public to claim ownership of the security of the country and willfully avail us with credible information that will assist in flushing out subversive and criminal elements from their hideouts and safe haven.”

  • We need N1bn to produce war vehicles, says Buratai

    The Nigerian Army is sourcing for N1billion to boost capacity of its vehicle manufacturing company to produce more combat vehicles to counter terrorists and other insurgents, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has said.

    Nigeria has recently been bedeviled by different forms of insurgencies; Boko Haram, kidnapping, armed banditry, armed robbery and cattle rustling. But demonstration of locally made bullet proof ballistic vest, NA Armoured Light Tactical Vehicle and mine sweeper produced by the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company (NAVMC) showed that the military will soon be better equipped to stem the challenge.

    Addressing the closing ceremony of the Nigerian Army Combat Arms Training Week on Saturday at the shooting range of Nigerian Army Infantry Corp, Jaji, Buratai noted that Nigerian Army new inventions and acquisitions are force multipliers, hence the fund will improve the equipping and capacity of the Army.

    “The innovations by the Nigerian Army in the areas of equipment production, localizing and bringing back vehicles and equipment that are hitherto abandoned, is another major achievement that we recorded.

    “You have been promised by the group managing director of NAVMC that in the next three to four months, we should have brand new vehicles originally produced by the Nigerian Army for use in the Army and the general public that may find it useful, especially the paramilitary agencies. This we believe will transform the Nigerian Army and Nigerian industrial companies, when we start mass production.

    Read Also: Terrorism, a complex war – Buratai

    “We are already sourcing for the sum of N1billion to support the Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company. We a have a number of investments in the Army that have been generating huge amount of money and we will take a loan from there to support Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company to realize our dream of producing indigenous armoured fighting vehicles and to continue to maintain our existing equipment.

    “Military equipment are never obsolete, with maintenance culture of the military globally,  vehicles and equipment of the Second World War are still useful in other parts of the world. The firepower demonstration today is the last activity of the combined Combat Arms Training Week (CATWEEK) and the Chief of Army Staff 1st Quarter Conference.

    “This Conference has brought us together to assess what we have so far achieved in the the first quarter of 2019,” the COAS added.

    The Acting Governor of Kaduna state, Arch. Barnabas Bala Bantex commended the military and the police on their efforts to ensure peace in the state. ‘The Nigerian Army and Police have helped to keep Nigeria and Kaduna safe. They have helped in combating terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.”

    Bantex, who admitted to enjoying the show of force and display of prototype vehicles and fire power, added that with what he saw, “the Nigerian Army is in better position and capable of containing all forms of threat both from within and outside our territory.”

     

  • Buratai says Boko Haram activities now restricted

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Boko Haram terrorists are being contained with the recent renewed joint military offensive against them in Northern Borno and border areas.

    Buratai said the offensive had pushed them to the remote Islands on the Lake Chad basin.

    Represented by Maj.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, the chief of army staff disclosed this in an interview with newsmen at Monguno in Borno North after celebrating the Easter with troops.

    He said the containment of the terrorists was made possible by joint operations by troops of the Lake Chad Basin countries, including the Multinational Joint Task Force – MNJTF.

    “You will discover that the Boko Haram terrorists are now lurking around the borders, especially the dangerous and inaccessible areas of the Tumbun and Islands (of Lake Chad).’’

    “And the best way to handle them is to have concentration of forces,’’ he said.

    On the ongoing joint operations between Nigerian and Chadian troops in Northern Borno, Buratai said that the coming of the Chadians had given a boost to troops and equipment concentration in the area.

    He said that this was necessary to route the terrorists from their hiding places in the Islands.

    Earlier, while addressing troops of Sector 3 of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Buratai expressed satisfaction that they had turned the tide against the terrorists, adding that it was no longer business for them as usual.

    “I urge you not to relent; you must continue to heat the iron now that our iron is very, very red so that we can beat the iron to the shape that we all like.

    Read Also: Boko Haram kills seven soldiers in Chad, says Army

    “You must maintain the momentum; we must never ever allow the reverse to be the case again. Now that we are moving, we must continue to move.

    “Now, we are pursuing, we must continue to pursue, we are on the offensive, we should never withdraw to defensive position.

    “You must remain bold and continue to do all that it takes to take the power, life and breath out of Boko Haram,’’ the army chief charged the troops.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai also visited the Chadian troops deployed alongside their Nigerian counterparts for a joint operation at Cross Kauwa, the Headquarters of Sector 2 of Operation Lafiya Dole.

    In an address, he commended them for their zeal, courage and commitment, saying that they were not only working for the safety of Nigeria and their country, but humanity.

    He described the Chadian troops as brave soldiers, and assured them that their requirement in terms of logistics would be provided.

    While he prayed for the repose of soul of personnel among them that had paid the supreme sacrifice, he also prayed for quick recovery of those wounded in action.

    Col. Bokit Ali Dijar, the Commander of Chadian troops in the sector, expressed happiness that countries in the Lake Chad basin were working in unity to tackle the Boko Haram menace which he described as a common enemy.

    Ali Dijar thanked Buratai for the visit, saying that they were honoured by the gesture.

    He also lauded the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo and Brig.-Gen. O.T. Akinjobi, the Commander Sector 3, for always meeting their request.

    NAN also reports that on April 18, troops of the MNJTF killed 39 Boko terrorists, captured many equipment from them as they attempted to attack military position at Cross Kauwa.

    Cross Kauwa is located in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

    Between December 2018 and January 2019 a faction of Boko Haram led by Al Barnawi and Islamic State West African Province or ISWAP infiltrated Baga and surrounding towns, including Cross Kauwa and attacked military positions.

    They were, however, pushed out by sustained ground and air offensives after a few days.

    NAN

  • Ebonyi varsity names Centre after Buratai

    The Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has named its newly established Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies after the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for his selfless service to the nation and humanity.

    According to a statement by Col. Sagir Musa, the army spokesman, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Chigozie Egbu, announced the honour when he led a team from the university on a courtesy visit to Buratai in Abuja.

    Egbu commended Buratai for the achievements the army had recorded under his leadership in promotion and maintenance of peace in the country.

    According to Egbu, EBSU is ready to collaborate with the army on the trust that a well-educated army is essential for effective military duties in the 21st century.

    “We are also delighted that you are interested in the establishment of an Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies at EBSU to offer members of the Armed Forces, Police and paramilitary agencies the opportunity to get higher and relevant education,” he said.

    Egbu, who was a former Deputy Governor in the state, disclosed that Gov. David Umahi, and the State Executive Council had approved that the Institute be named “Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies”.

    Responding, Buratai thanked the leadership of the university, government and people of Ebonyi for the honour.

    He dedicated the honour to officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army for their commitment, sacrifices and resolve to bring an end to the myriad of security challenges facing Nigeria.

    Buratai expressed willingness to support the university to provide quality education and to serve as a centre for academic research on contemporary security challenges.

    He said the army would sponsor qualified officers and soldiers interested to enroll in the university’s programmes and solicited for collaboration between the institution and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, an emerging research centre.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Igbinedion University, Okada, had also on April 15 honoured the Nigerian army by naming its Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs after Gen. Buratai.

    NAN

     

  • Army partners Edo, Delta on Ejoor’s burial

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the Nigerian Army is collaborating with the Edo and Delta Governments to give the late Maj-Gen. David Ejoor a befitting burial.

    Buratai made this known during a condolence visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli in his Warri.

    The COAS, accompanied by other top military officers, also visited the family of the late Ejoor and the Monarch of Olomu, Richard Ogbon Oghoro (1), the Ohworode of Olomu, Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    Ejoor, a former Military Governor of the defunct Mid-Western State and one time Chief of Army Staff, died in Lagos on Feb.10, 2019 at the age of 87.

    Buratai said Nigerian Army had constituted a burial committee that would interface with both the state governments and the family to ensure a successful befitting burial for the late military officer.

    He described the late Ejoor as a humbled and perfect soldier.

    “The Nigerian Army has set up a burial committee, and we are looking forward to having a befitting burial for the late Maj-Gen. Ejoor, in conjunction with the Edo and Delta Governments.

    “Late Maj-Gen. Ejoor was a professional soldier, loyal and contributed to the development of the country. He served Nigeria diligently,” Buratai said.

    Read Also: Tension as army takes over Ijaw community

    Buratai also commended the Olu of Warri for maintaining peace in his domain.

    Responding, the Olu of Warri thanked the COAS for the visit and the role of the military in ensuring peace in the entire Niger Delta Region and Nigeria in general.

    “There is peace in the country. I appeal that you do not relent in your effort at sustaining the peace.

    ” Your officers have been so wonderful; you can establish Brigades in some areas around the riverine where there are government facilities to provide more military presence.

    “We held Ejoor at a very high esteem, he stood by us anytime we had challenges, he was important to us. Thank you for coming to condole with us and his family,” Ikenwoli said.

    In the same vein, the Monarch of Olomu Kingdom thanked the army chief and his entourage for the condolence visit to both the deceased’s family and the Olomu Kingdom.

    “Your coming at this time of grief is highly appreciated. Thank you for deeming it fit to visit the home of my departed son, Ejoor at Ovwor in Olomu Kingdom.

    “We are proud of Ejoor. As a Military Governor of the defunct Mid-Western State, Ejoor fought for the unity of Nigeria, even when people were agitating for division.

    “There was no case of corruption preferred against him till his demise,” he said.

    The monarch, however, appealed for immortalisation of Ejoor by establishing a military facility in the Olomu Kingdom.

    On the COAS entourage were: Maj-Gen. Jamil Sarham, the GOC, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, and Col. Alhassan Grema, Commander, Sector (1), Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), among others.

    NAN

  • $2millon arms probe: Concerned Nigerians want house of reps report on probe panel released

    Some group of concerned Nigerians have demanded for a holistic probe into the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015.
    They also want all those found culpable brought to book.
    The convener of the group, Princess Ajibola at a press conference in Abuja today said as a civil society organisation that demands accountability from government to the governed, the group is sad with the Committee of Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence of the Federal House of Representatives for the way and manner it has handled the probe of the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement, (CADEP) from 2007-2015.
    “The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria is desirous of the content of the probe by the House of Representatives to be made public in the overall interest of justice and fairness to all concerned.
    “It is common knowledge that the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 made a mess of the mandate given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari, it is however not enough to continue to shield them from public scrutiny as evident in the cold foot suddenly developed by the House of Representatives.
    “At this point, the Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria wishes to educate the members of the House of Representatives that they were elected by the people to represent the interest of the people and not to protect the interest of a select few that do not have the interest of the people at heart through their actions and inactions”she said
    Ajibola said it is worthy of note to highlight that the mandate given to the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 was primarily to bring to justice those that committed crimes against the Nigerian people by mismanaging billions of naira meant for the purchase of arms and ammunition to help in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
    “To the dismay of all persons with a conscience, these individuals instead decided to cut deals and enrich themselves at the expense of the sacred mandate of unravelling the circumstances the lead to the mismanagement of public funds and also to recover same from these individuals and organizations.
    “At this point, the Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria cannot fathom why the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence who indeed confessed in public that it was in possession of a series of petitions from members of the public and defence contractors who have complained about the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015.
    “It was against this background that the House of Representatives launched a probe and indeed conducted a public hearing on the contentious issue, and only for them to suddenly go mute on the outcome of their inquiry.
    “We must add that this sudden muteness indeed raised a flurry of questions that needed answers. The muteness also questioned the sincerity of purpose of the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence.
    “It further fuelled the suspicion that indeed something was dangerously amiss in the polity as been speculated in some certain quarters. Some believed that monies must have exchanged hands. Some were also of the opinion that probably members of the House of Representatives Committee might have been intimidated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, under whose purview is the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015.
    “The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria demands that justice be served in this sensitive matter of national importance in the interest of all and sundry.
    “The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria at this point and in the interest of our country demands that holistic probe into the arms fraud be instituted by the federal government, as well as the National Assembly”she said
    She urged the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency  institute a probe that would unravel as a first what happened with the earlier probe report of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety, National Security and Intelligence.
    “The National Assembly must either make it public or institute a fresh probe with a clear mandate to reviewing the activities of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment Procurement from 2007 to 2015 that has been entangled in controversies’ bordering underhand dealings, receiving gratifications and compromising the core mandate of the committee.
    “The Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria believes that there should be no sacred cows in the war against corruption in Nigeria. Nobody should be favoured above others, especially in cases of economic sabotage.
    “If the leadership of this great country is sincere about the war against corruption, then it must initiate this probe as a matter of urgency and bring to book all those that are found wanting in any way as no one should be seen to be above the law no matter how highly placed.
    “The world is indeed watching Nigeria and expects that the right thing is done in this sensitive case. The relatives of the victims of the nefarious activities of these individuals and organizations are also watching to see how the government would protect their interest by serving justice to all”she concluded

     

  • Buratai commends troops over defeat of Boko Haram insurgents in Damaturu

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Thursday, lauded the doggedness of gallant troops over defeat of Boko Haram insurgents at Maisadari community in the outskirts of Damaturu, Yobe.

    In a statement, Lt. Njoka Irabor, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole, disclosed that the commendation was conveyed to the troops by the Theater Commander, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, on Thursday in Damaturu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gallant troops on Tuesday successfully foiled attempt by the insurgents to attack Maisandari community, killing many of them and destroying their equipment.

    Read also: Army kills scores of terrorists in Damaturu attack

    Akinroluyo, who addressed the troops at the 233 Battalion Headquarters, also applauded the efforts of the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole and other security agencies, as well as law-abiding citizens for their support and cooperation which led to the successful defeat of the insurgents.

    He charged the troops to remain professional and responsive, so as to effectively deal with terrorists in their area of operation.

    The army chief stressed the need for synergy and collaborative efforts between the military and other security agencies to deny the terrorists any freedom to operate.

    Akinroluyo was briefed by the Commanding Officer, 233 Battalion, Lt.-Col. Ibrahim Mohammed.

    The commander was accompanied on the visit by the Acting Commander, Sector 2, Brig.-General Mohammed Dala, and the Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Akinniyi Oyelade. (NAN)

  • Jumping the gun

    Ordinarily, it would have come across as a policy of genius. Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, announced that the Federal Government plans to upgrade the Sambisa Forest as a tourist site. The army chief gave apparently cogent explanations for this plan. Only apparently.

    It would, he posited, grant us much-needed revenues, serve as a spot of entertainment and a resource for scholars and researchers. Of course, anywhere war relics are gathered, people will be curious. War relics are a memorial of organised, if sometimes spontaneous, human savagery. They also are testament to technologies of extermination as well as platforms to pore over the stories of human daring and heroics in times of harrowing temptations.

    So, on a philosophical level, Sambisa as a tourist site is a seductive proposition. It covers a wide sweep of land that stretches from Borno State, and tentacles in such other states as Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Jigawa. That means it is under the care of local governments and state governments. It is enriched with fauna and flora, with alternations of balmy and wet weathers that enrich such trees as tallow, rubber, wild back duck, baobab, and quite a few others.

    We cannot also discount its umbrella and nourishing power for leopards, lions, elephants, hyenas as well as a choir of birds.

    But for the army chief to say we should make the place a tourist site in terms of its military appeals also acknowledges by its omission the failure of government over the years to retain the lush environment for fauna and flora, and what we have is a diminution of its powers to retain its wild and dynamic beauty of feline creatures, rodents and sturdy trees.

    What we have today is a shadow of its verdant past, its quality of a zoo model, its rich and enviable reserve of money. Why? Because the Boko Haram insurgency ran through its Edenic magnificence with hate and rapine, with a distortion of God and malevolence of human destruction.

    They turned Sambisa Forest from a forest of Eden to the devil’s dive, carting away girls for its hideouts, especially because of its intimidating mountain ranges, its vast expanse that could task the endurance and technological equipment of soldiers.

    That war is still on, and while the government can claim that it has degraded the insurgents by an effort of military will, the state of Borno and environs are not strong enough to shut their eyes for dreamy nights. Their fragility bears out in spasms of girl-child suicide bombs, in ambushes of military patrols and formations, in raids that cripple towns, and sometimes by sustained episodes of combats. That they happened in the past, especially before 2015 with damnable ferocity, has made the present seem tame. This has inspired some illusory enthusiasm, especially in official quarters where persons now tend to look beyond the depredations for new draughts of peace.

    It is that mighty illusion that drove the chief of army staff to such grandiose sense of Sambisa as a sort of arboreal paradise where relics of war could enhance our revenue and show the triumphal soldiery of our armed forces.

    This was premature glee and a celebration before the fact. The army chief was jumping the gun, though no pun is intended. The guns have not silenced the foe yet. Once that is accomplished, we can heal the wounds fully and reap in full the dividends of peace. Tourists only thrive where there is not only peace, but no hint of hostility.

    We should not forget that Sambisa had a near Elysian past where the splendour of trees and lawns bowered four-legged beasts beneath the cawing and squawking of winged creatures. This was the time when Sambisa was a games reserve.  The reserve that spanned a wide scythe of 2,258 square kilometres has shrunken over time. This was from the early 1970’s when Nigeria had just woken up from a fratricidal tragedy and was entering a berth of optimism. But Sambisa Games reserve attracted tourists and had the tracks for animals and roads for safaris. It shrank with government neglect and social and economic stress to a little over 500 square kilometres.

    The lions no longer roar or roam in their former numbers. Far fewer throats of sonorous birds plume nodding boughs. Rather we saw humans as beasts and hear the rumble of ominous vans and primal screams of abducted girls. Now Sambisa Forest has become a metaphor for failed forests across the country, especially in the northern part all the way to Bauchi State where hoodlums lurk, raid and vanquish fragile villages and kill men, women and children.

    It is not as if as a nation we have done well with our tourist potential in other parts of the country. The Yankari Games Reserves, the Obudu Cattle Ranch, the slave relics in Badagry, the Biafra monuments in Umuahia are in such a state of disrepair and despair that the army chief’s swagger is more of a gallows humour than policy.