President Buhari Attends COAS Conference

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President Muhammadu Buhari today pledged his commitment to curbing Insurgency, during the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Annual Conference in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The Conference which was themed “Optimising Efficiency for the Efficiency of the Army in Nigeria”s Democracy”, was attended by dignitaries such as the National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, Chief of Army Staff General Tukur Y Buratai, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state, Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state, Senator Ali Ndume, and Heads of other Military formations.

Gen. TY Buratai said the Nigerian troops are dedicated to addressing the security challenges in the Northeast.

He also proposed a change in the structure of counterinsurgency operations from the conventional defensive to attacking methods of operations.

Buratai attributed some challenges faced by the Nigeria Army to insinuations of human rights violations, which have continued to dent the image of the army.

He, however, disclosed that a human rights desk has been established at all Nigeria army formations to attend and address human right allegations.

Governor Shettima said the fight against insurgency is a complex as the high poverty rate and ecological factors, among others, remain causative factors to the crisis.

He added that a coalition of political and security apparatus is required to achieve a holistic approach to ending the crisis bedeviling the Northeast.

He also commended the Federal Government and Nigeria Army for the successes recorded and vowed to support the civilian joint task force (CJTF) in a bid to aid in the counterinsurgency fight.

President Buhari in his address said he is determined to ensure citizens feel safe in all parts of the country, urging the armed forces to put additional efforts in ending the crisis.

He commended the Nigeria Army for their efforts in the dislodgment of insurgents, rescue of and gradual return of normalcy in parts of the Northeast.

He also commiserated with families of Rtd General Alkali Idris and the fallen heroes in Metele, Borno State and assured that welfare of the soldiers would be duly given.

Also speaking, Mansur Dan Ali Appreciated the Federal Government for efforts put in place to curtail the incessant activities of Boko Haram elements.

He also enjoined the FG to endeavor to take the Nigeria armed forces to the next level.