Boko Haram’s Attacks are last kicks of a dying horse Buratai

Boko Haram’s Attacks are last kicks of a dying horse-
Gen. Buratai
Being a Goodwill Message to Troops in the North-East by Lt Gen
Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff

I seize this opportunity to remind you of the encouragement and
commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the resources
and enabling environment in the discharge of our duties which he
elucidated in his remarks during the recently launched Armed Forces
and Remembrance Day Emblem Appeal Fund 2019.

I therefore wish to thank Mr President for his continuous
support and encouragement and to also commend the efforts,
resilience and sacrifices made by all of us including those that
have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure that Nigeria remains
indivisible and secured. However, the recent sporadic skirmishes
from the BHTs should be seen as a desperate effort from a highly
degraded and expiring adversary striving to maintain its notoriety
and portray itself as formidable and cohesive; something that is
completely false. It is merely the “last kicks of a dying horse”.
We have achieved great successes over the BHTs. Thus, absolute and
conclusive victory is just inches away. Let us therefore not relent
in our gallant efforts and draw back the hands of the clock.

2. The NA is not known for cowardly behaviour. We have contained
several incursions and several security challenges bedevilling our
dear country within the last 3 years and now would not be an
exception. Consequently, any soldier that turns away in the face of
enemy incursion would be appropriately sanctioned and made to face
Field Court Martial in accordance with our extant laws. As you are
all aware; the consequences could be grave. Do not be complacent by
being contented with repelling their attacks, instead, go after
them, capture them, and when absolutely necessary, be decisive with
the daring ones. Some women and children have been held captive,
you are therefore to ensure that adequate rules of engagement are
employed to extricate them before any offensive action.

3. As your COAS, I have never relented in my pursuits of
ensuring that your welfare is adequately catered for. To this end,
I have directed that your allowances are paid regularly as and when
due. I have also directed that troops’ rotation be carried out as
scheduled. As soldiers in battle, I am aware of the effects of
battle fatigue. Consequently, I have also directed that passes be
issued to officers and soldiers that require same to visit their
families. Recall that I approved the special promotion of more than
5000 troops for gallantry. Be rest assured that the process is
continuous. Your kitting has also been improved drastically.
Special uniform allowance was paid a month ago directly into your
individual accounts. Through the various intervention programmes to
the NA by the government, the stock of arms and ammunition has
greatly improved. Just recently, the NA took delivery of large
consignment of high calibre weapons and ammunition. These are
already being injected into the theatre. I therefore urge you to
make use of them judiciously and ensure they are effectively used
against the terrorists and not taken away by them.

4. In a bid to swell their depleting ranks, the BHT have
continued with their false teachings and instilling fake ideologies
on the youths of the North East. To curb that, I have directed the
Department of Civil Military Affairs in collaboration with the
Department of NA Chaplain/Imam Services to immediately provide
counter narratives through the community resilience and
stabilization campaign programme. I have also established the
Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command to amongst others prevent
online terrorism, online radicalisation as well as online
recruitment. To this end, do not let the false propaganda and
narratives being spread by the rag-tagged terrorists sway your
thoughts and actions about our dear country. We should continue to
stand and fight even when the going gets tough and the ignorant and
enemies of the state choose to castigate us. You are to also note
that many people have returned back to their towns, villages and
communities that were hitherto abandoned, and the terrorists have
taken advantage of the large population in the towns and villages
to infiltrate into them. You must therefore be extra vigilant and
establish good civil military relations with the locals. You are to
use this to acquire actionable intelligence to prevent any attack
on the communities as well as your positions.

5. At this juncture, let me thank Nigerians from all walks of
life for their support, prayers, encouragement and goodwill towards
the Nigerian Army in the service of our fatherland. The Nigerian
Army is your Army. I wish to also convey my appreciation to you
all, the troops, for your selfless service towards the defence of
our dear country. Your courage and gallant demonstration of our
core values of sacrifice and selflessness amidst the daunting
challenges being confronted daily in the theatre speak volumes
about your professionalism and patriotism to the Nigerian State. I
implore you to continue to uphold the trust the nation has placed
on your noble shoulders for the maintenance of the sanctity of her
territorial integrity. We must all remain steadfast. We must see
this victory to a conclusive end. We must justify our oath of
allegiance to our fatherland and dedication to her sovereignty. I
once again salute your courage and wish you the best successes out
there.
God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.

Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai
Chief of Army Staff