Minimah visits front-line troops, commends courage

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Thursday paid an operational and morale boosting visit to troops on the front line fighting against Boko Haram terrorists in Borno and Adamawa States.

During the visit, he addressed and encouraged the troops of 7 Division Strike Group  and 121 Special Force Battalion that comprised the Armed Forces and Nigerian Army Special Forces located in Pulka, 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, 28 Task Force Brigade and 174 Battalion in Mubi.

A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said in  Pulka, the Commander, 7 DSG, Lt. Col.  Umar  Abubakar and the Commanding Officer of 121 SF Battalion, Lt.  Col. Murtala Abdulsalam, briefed the COAS on their respective commands.

It said Minimah commended them for their performances and thereafter addressed the troops, saying he came to thank and commend them for their valour, courage and bravery, “which turned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorists and their accomplishments thus far.”

“The COAS informed the troops that the President and indeed the whole nation are proud of them and reiterated his determined effort to continue to support and encourage them and enjoined them to maintain the momentum,” the statement added.

Minimah also urged the soldiers to be more dedicated, disciplined, professional and continue with the same zeal and determination till attainment of the set objective of locating and destroying Boko Haram camps and enclaves.

Apart from recapturing most Boko Haram-held territories such as Pulka and Gwoza, the troops had also destroyed a number of the terrorists’ camps in Kirawa and Kinene, as well as their workshops, training camps and arms stores, weapons and equipment.

They also recovered a T-55 Battle Tank, 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers, various calibres of arms and ammunition from Boko Haram.

At the headquarters of 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza, the COAS was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Col. Irenuma Irabor, who was accompanied by Lt. Col. Chidozie Amoha, Garrison Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade.

The statement quoted the Brigade Commander as saying that due to the recapture of Gwoza and the presence of the military, life has gradually been returning to normal in the area.