B’Haram War Exposes Flaws In Military, Says Army chief

Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday disclosed that the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the North-East have exposed some flaws in the Nigerian Army.

The COAS gave this verdict while delivery a keynote address at the 2015 Regimented Sergeant Major Convention, holding in Maiduguri.

He said, “We are all aware of the ongoing operations which the Nigerian Army is engaged in, especially Op Lafiya Dole. The counter insurgency operations have exposed some flaws in our discipline, regimentation and professionalism as well as the general conduct of officers and men of our Army.

“This underscores my vision on assumption of office, which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.”

Buratai therefore said, “The focus of my command of the Nigerian Army is to restore the long cherished core values of the Nigerian Army through discipline, regimentation and professionalism.

“It is my belief that the attainment of these three cardinal objectives will refocus the Nigerian Army towards a more responsive force that is ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of our nation and effectively undertake all tasks as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said the RSMs needed not be reminded that they occupied important position in the drive towards repositioning the Nigerian Army, noting that “as the most important link between the officers and soldiers as well as the custodians and repository of unit regimentation, it is pertinent to re-emphasize that my vision cannot be realised without a well-disciplined, knowledgeable and highly motivated crop of RSMs who are ready to willingly and effectively discharge their responsibilities at all times.”

Buratai said it was in the light of this that the theme for the convention was, “Enhancing the capacity of the RSMs to be professionally responsive in the discharge of their roles.”

The COAS said the convention, which draws to a close on Wednesday, was expected to provide an avenue for interaction and cross-fertilisation of ideas between the officers entrusted with leadership and the RSMs known to be custodians of customs, ethics, traditions and values of the service.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who was Special Guest of Honour at the convention, said he was delighted that the state was picked to host the RSMs “who are the heart of the barrack.”

The governor, who promised each of the RSMs at the convention a cash gift of N50,000, said he was confident that the military has all it would take to end the reigns of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, has called for closer collaboration with the National Orientation Agency in the fight against Boko Haram.

Abubakar made the call when he visited NOA, according to a statement in Abuja on Monday by Assistant Director, Press, at NOA, Mr. Paul Odenyi.

The DDI said he was visiting to solicit more cooperation with the agency in line with its mandate to communicate activities of government and inspire patriotic sentiments among the public.

He said the work of building confidence in the civilian populace was also critical in the fight against insurgency.

Speaking at the meeting, the Director General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, urged the military to continue to work harder to defeat terrorists.

Omeri said, “The battle is also in the minds. That is why we need to establish strong synergy to ensure that we also defeat fear, anxiety and ill feeling towards ourselves. This is what the insurgents want to show to the world.

He said it was necessary for the military and the NOA to ensure that the propaganda materials from the insurgents were not allowed to rule the airwaves.