President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to Punch, the meeting which was held inside the President’s office, centred on efforts being made by Army authorities to restore peace to troubled parts of the country, particularly areas affected by Fulani herdsmen crisis.
The meeting was made known by the President on his verified Twitter handle, @MBuhari. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to peace and security of the country.
“I received a briefing from the Chief of Army Staff this (Thursday) afternoon. The Army recently established a new battalion in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, in addition to other deployments in troubled parts of the country. Our commitment to the peace and security of Nigeria is total.”
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting, Buratai said he used the opportunity to brief the President on the happenings in the Nigerian Army as well as the latest security situations across the country. He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to conduct security operations aimed at making the country safer.
“We will continue to operate along with other security agencies that have been charged with the responsibility of securing our country. The deployment of a battalion to Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State is in line with the Nigerian Army’s order of battle that was approved in 2016 and we are going to implement all the directives of our Commander-in-Chief, in order to achieve strategic objectives of the Nigerian government.
“So, that is essentially why we had to deploy a battalion there and the soldiers will work alongside other security agencies,’’ he said.
On plans by the Army to turn Sambisa forest to tourist and relaxation centres, he said
“That is progressing very well and Nigerians should be rest assured that our Operation Last Halt will further consolidate on the achievements so far made and we hope the Internally Displaced Persons in that area will go back to their communities and pick up their lives again.’’
