One soldier was killed in an ambush Friday during
a daring visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur
Buratai, to troops currently battling Boko Haram
terrorists in parts of Borno state.
The army chief, who arrived Maiduguri first, set
out on the journey through Mafa to Gamboru-
Ngala border town where regrouping terrorists
were dislodged recently.
On the way to Gamboru-Ngala, Mr. Buratai, a
Lieutenant General, stopped over in Mafa town
where he addressed troops of the 7 Division,
Nigeria Army currently manning the reclaimed
community that
is still deserted.
He commended the soldiers for "a job well done"
even as he assured them of improved welfare and
allowances as he said such matters have been
placed before the table of the president and
commander-in-chief, Muhammadu Buhari.
He however informed the soldiers that "there is
still more job to be done and we have to do this
once and for all so that all of us can go back to
our respective barracks and continue with our
normal jobs and soldiers".
As the convoy moved on to Dikwa, a message
was sent in that an advance team was ambushed
by Boko Haram terrorists and one soldier was
killed while two others were also injured.
The soldiers in advance however subdued the
terrorists by killing five of them and arresting five
others, who surrendered their arms.
While the Chief of Army staff's convoy proceeded
to Dikwa, soldiers spotted suspected Boko Haram
members in the bushe amidst flocks of cattle. Mr.
Buratai stopped the convoy and ordered that the
group be rounded up for investigation.
An elderly herdsman confessed that four of the
arrested suspects met them in the bush and
forced them to move together. The four suspects
later owned up that they were members of the
Boko Haram. They were immediately arrested and
sent back to Maiduguri.
In Dikwa, the chief of Army staff was welcome
with cheers by over 4000 internally displaced
persons from Gamboru and neighbouring towns,
who were full of praise and prayers for him and
the soldiers.
He addressed them in the local Kanuri language
and assured them that they would soon be
resettled as his troops were working round the
clock to rid the area of all terrorists.
The convoy later moved on to Ngala town where
a large number of solders were met celebrating
the liberation of the area.
Lieutenant General Buratai addressed the troops
and commended them for keeping the morale
high. He urged them to be more vigilant and
ensure no Boko Haram is left to cause any form
of attack on troops and innocent civilians.
He was accompanied on the trip by the GOC 7
Division and other top officers from the Army
headquarters, while the Chief of Air Staff also
made the trip by air.
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