By Dauda R Pam
The Minister of Defense, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd),has challenged troops of Operation Lafiya Dole,to be more professional in their task to end Boko Haram insurgency that has continued to claim several lives and property.
He made the declaration,while on a visit to, Gubio Response Areas,GRA, nearly 85 kilometres north of Maiduguri, the state capital,which was attacked two times last month, before the Super Camp on wheels fighting strategy,was adopted by the theatre.
The Defence Minister,urged the troops to be efficient, professional and loyal to superior orders to successfully bring an end to terrorists’ activities in the region.
“You’re to carry out the Super Camp Operations on wheels; with the utmost professionalism, efficiency and loyalty to succeed,” he charged.
He said that the loyalty of troops, was key to the success of ongoing operations to secure the nation and its citizens.
His words: “I’m here on behalf of the President to let you know that we appreciate you. We also love you and let you know that nobody has abandoned you in the front lines.
“What we’ve now compared to 2015, is an indication that a lot has been achieved, by liberating 22 Local Government Areas in Borno state.”
While commending the troops for achievements against insurgency, he assured that the government is committed to providing all the necessary support for officers and soldiers in front lines.
He said the federal government was aware of troops’ efforts in combating the menace of Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast.
On safety of troops and equipment, Magashi said: “I wish you a safe environment; I wish you successful operations so that in no distant time, we will end this menace.
“We will give you the best and we expect the best from you.”
Earlier the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi has assured that Maiduguri and other parts of the state would not fall to Boko Haram intrigues and assured the Minister of their unflinching loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces as guaranteed in the Constitution.
The theatre commander vowed that the troops under his command would carry out the directive of the President towards ending terrorists’ activities in the region.
Hear him: “We are ready, willing to implement the directive of the Commander-in-Chief. I want to dissociate the theatre command from cowardly information on social media.
“Maiduguri is not falling. Magumeri, Gubio is not falling and is not going to fall.
“The theatre command is in charge of the Northeast and we are going to continue to be strong.”
Highlights of the minister’s programme included a visit to the wounded troops at the 7 Division Brigade Hospital at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
