Army Chief, Gen Shuaibu pays maiden operational visit to Borno
By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
Determined to stem the tide of lingering Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, has on Thursday paid a maiden Operational and Assessment visit to the troops of Theatre Command, North East ‘Operation Hadin Kai’.
The Army Chief and his delegation were received by the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, at the Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
General Shuaibu held a closed-door meeting with the principal staff at the Theatre and the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu.
In his welcome address, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abubakar, congratulated the COAS on his well-deserved appointment.
He explained that the sustainable supports received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Military authorities have led to the nuetralization of scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP elements, with recovery of cache of arms and ammunition from the Area of Responsibility (AR), even as he said, “troops are committed and in high spirit to ensure total restoration of peace and development in the North East sub region”.
Addressing Journalists soon after the marathon meeting with Officers and Soldiers, the Chief of Army Staff reiterated his commitment to motivation, effective administration, and enhancing the welfare of troops, especially those at the frontline.
His words: “I want to first thank you for your felicitations and for appreciating our cordial working relationship while I was here as the Theatre Commander.
“You are aware that I have been here for a very long time, and I am aware of the challenges. My coming here is, first and foremost, to appreciate the troops for what they have been doing and the extent to which they are going to secure the entire areas of operations.
“For motivating the troops, we will try to uphold the soldier-first concept of my predecessor, and I will do everything to improve on that concept. As soldiers receive what is due to them on time, and going forward, we will explore how we can extend that support to their families at home while they serve their country.
“We shall also ensure Administration, so that the right people are placed in the right places; we will appoint the right type of Commanders and Staff officers in various ways to ensure that we do what is best for the soldiers by holding fairness and justice within the system. This is to ensure that every person gets what is due to him/her within the system.
“Every person will get their dues. Knowing fully well that the morale concept of fighting power is key to achieving the desired expectations.
“On welfare, we will do our best to ensure we drive all these policies that are key to improving soldiers’ welfare. We will make sure we do that on time. We will continue to pay their allowances on time; of course, you are aware that the ration cost allowances have been approved for the soldiers. With all these packages for them, they will know that they are being taken care of”. General Shuaibu stated.
The Army Chief was billed to visit the wounded troops at the 7 Div Medical and Specialist Hospital, Maimalari Cantonment, during the visit, and to commission some projects, among other scheduled activities.
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