The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen TY Buratai in company of the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre (DG NARC), Maj Gen JGS Hamakim and other Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters visited the Headquarters Theatre Command, operation LAFIYA DOLE from Friday 23 to Monday 26 December 2016 at Maiduguri the capital of Borno State. The visit was aimed at boosting the morale of the Nigerian Army troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.
Speaking during the visit, the COAS described the seven-year war against Boko Haram terrorists as “quite sober and touchy” saying that a number of officers and soldiers had lost their lives in the war. He prayed for the repose of their souls and vowed that the Army will bring all resources to bear to the fight until remnants of the terrorists were cleared.
Addressing the troops in Mafa, General Buratai said: “Operation Rescue Final has been quite successful. We still keep our promise of what will happen in 2017. We will make sure that we get the necessary re-organization to make the operation much stronger and to have very good relief system for everybody.”
The COAS also commended the troops for their courage and professionalism. He further urged them to sustain the counter-insurgency momentum as well as assuring them of logistic support and that their general welfare will be catered for. He wished the troops a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.
The highlight of the visit was celebrating the Christmas with troops of 5 Task Force Brigade located in Damasak where the COAS lit the Camp fire
