*Commissions roads, office projects
*Enjoys lunch with troops to mark Eid el Kabir Sallah
By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has commissioned two roads projects and HQ 47 BB Office Complex at Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri.
The COAS also inspected recovered and captured items from dry session operations in Sambisa Forest.
He assured of his leadership stance in welfare of the troops while commending the Theater Command Headquarters officers and soldiers for the successes recorded and pledged to continue to support the theater command achieve its mandate with the provision of equipment and facilitate to professionally finish the war.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja could not hide his excitement with the initiative and engineering works done in refurbishing the recovered and captured items, noting that they could be put to use by the various formations of the JTF theater command headquarters operations .
The Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai JTF Theater Command Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Maj. Gen. Shaibu Wahidi in his remarks, said several items were recovered and captured as displayed, such as arms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, APC, trucks, Carter, heavy long vehicles, armoured cars and four wheel pick up jeeps, RPGs, machine guns, AK49 and AK-47 rifles.
Others include tractors and bullets among others recovered from Boko Haram terrorists and refurbished by military engineers and electricians as well as panel beaters and welders among others for the Inspection of Chief of Army Staff at 212 Battalion Parade Ground Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri on Monday.
Gen. Shaibu said, “the Chief of Army Staff Sir, the Theatre Command recently subscribed for some buildings in your illustrious initiative of Affordable Home Ownership Option for All (AHOOA) – Soldiers.
“This is to modestly appreciate some of the soldiers who are eminently qualified and have distinguished themselves during the dry season offensive operations.The initiative is to also encourage more troops to remain committed and steadfast in the fight against insurgency.
“The concept of showcasing these assets captured and recovered from the insurgents is to discourage the usual practice of adding more to equipment graveyards in the Theatre.
“The adopted model of repairing any captured and recovered vehicle especially A vehicle is in pursuant of the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy which is “To transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.
“Specifically, the troops recovered one each of VBL, MOWAG APC, PHANTOM MRAP, PROFORCE MRAP, CAMEL MRAP, LOW BED and other vehicles with various degrees of damage by insurgent actions which were repaired by the Theatre Main Repair Group.
“Apart from the vehicles that were recovered and captured, there are others that have been affected by Improvised Explosive Devices and land mines during the period across the Theatre. All these vehicles have also been adequately repaired within the capacity of the Theatre Main Repair Group,” Shaibu said.
According to him, the experience garnered from the repair works has enhanced on the job training of 107 Division Equipment Support personnel, while those captured and recovered platforms which have been refurbished by the Theatre and those repaired through Headquarters Nigerian Army Mechanical and Electrical Engineering would be re-issued to the Sectors to further improve their operational efficiency as well as the morale of the fighting units.
He added,” Equally, the various projects commissioned today will further boost the confidence of our personnel and add to the aesthetics of Maimalari Military Cantonment.
“It is with great pleasure and humility that I wish to on behalf of all officers, soldiers and other security agencies of Joint Task Force North East OP HADIN KAI wholeheartedly welcome the Chief of Army Staff to the Theatre.
“I wish to also use this privilege on behalf of the gallant troops of Operation HADIN KAI to felicitate with the Chief of Army Staff on attaining one highly productive year in the office, which is on 23 June 2024.
” Sir, your presence with us today is not only to mark the Eid-El-Kabir Celebration but to also mark the gradually winding down of dry season operations in the North East. As it is well-known, the operational cycle is divided into Dry and Wet Season with all available assets and platforms in the Theatre employed for the dry season offensive phase.
“Thus, one of the highlights of today’s event is the guided tour of the modest gains of the dry season offensive operations from January to date across the Theatre. The displayed items highlighted the efficiency of our operational engagements through doggedness and bravery of the troops.
“The rescued individuals, surrendered women/children, neutralized JAS/ISWAP fighters and captured/recovered equipment and platforms are not mere symbols of victory but a significant representation of the sacrifices of our gallant troops across the Theatre,” Waheed said.
The Theater Commander added that some of the gallant officers/soldiers who were wounded in action during the various operations where these platforms were captured/recovered are attending this luncheon today.
“To the Wounded in Action, you have our utmost respect and commitment at ensuring your full recovery. We also pray that Almighty God continue to grant eternal rest to the souls of those that paid the supreme price during the various operations.
” Sir, this Year Sallah Luncheon avail the troops great privilege to have the Chief of Army Staff commemorate and celebrate the spirit of the season with them, especially the Muslim faithful.
“Your presence has not only boost the morale of the troops but ginger them to be more offensive minded to ensure restoration of peace and normalcy to the entire North East Region.
“The Chief of Army Staff Sir, we are sincerely thankful for your concern to the welfare of troops of Operation HADIN KAI and promise that having you with us today will further spur us to strive for more successes.
“We are indebted to your numerous support which have come with huge benefits to the Theatre in terms of improved troops confidence, equipment support and provision of strategic guidance for operational activities.
“As we move into wet season operations, I assure the Chief of Army Staff of the same commitment of our officers and men to maintain the tempo of operations,” Shaibu said.
The acting GOC, 7 Division, NA, Brig. Gen. Abubakar Haruna thanked the COAS, CDS, CAS, CNS and other security agencies for their support and encouragement while appreciating the troops for their gallantry, moral conduct and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
He assured the COAS and Theater Commander more efforts of the troops towards achieving more successes in all operations across the division and sector while appreciating the media for their objective reportage of military activities.