By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Commander Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, has decorated officers and soldiers of the command who have distinguished themselves in their assigned responsibilities in the forefront of counter insurgency in the North East operations.
It has also presented letters of honour and commendation to five officers of Operation Hadin Kai JTF, who professionally and gallantly demonstrated their bravery and exceptional dedication and commitment in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents by killing, bombarding and clearing Boko Haram terrorists and their hideouts as well as recovered arms and ammunition, among other items in the course of carrying out various operations in many communities of the North East theater command.
The decoration and presentation of medals, awards and letters to the officers, soldiers and even the media practitioners who have distinguished in their various responsibilities, in giving the Nigerian military objective coverage, reportage and management of news on activities or operations of the military in the Theater Command, presided over by the Theater Commander, Major General Chris G. Musa, JTF Operation Hadin Kai, Theater Command Headquarters, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri on Saturday.
In his Independence Day Anniversary message/speech, he charged them to continue to display their professionalism and gallantry to end the war, while the Nigerian Army will continue to cater for them adequately and motivate them accordingly to boost their morale, while ensuing and improving on their welfare and provision of operational equipment at all times, to discharge their duties diligently, noting that, “it is a fight for all, for everybody. So, we must work together, join hands together to fight the war and end it”.
He added that the decoration is in the recognition of their sacrifices and dedication to duty in the course of their services to their fatherland as officers and men of the Nigerian military, including the media as critical stakeholders in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Today, Saturday we are gathered here to mark the 62nd Independence Day Anniversary of our country, Nigeria. The Nigerian military is where the officers and soldiers play a vital role to improve security situation and ensure the restoration of peace in the north east region and Lake Chad Basin.
“I commend the officers and soldiers as well as the media, all the citizens and security agencies as well as governments and NGOs, etc should continue to partner with the Nigerian Army to restore peace permanently in the region and Lake Chad Basin.
“Despite the challenges, we have made good efforts and sacrifices to ensure peace returns to the region and we shall never relent on our efforts. However, we need your support and cooperation to finish the job. Everybody is a stakeholder and together we shall end the war”, Musa said.
The Theater Commander while further conferring awards of honour and gallantry to five deserving officers of the theater command, he said, “The Nigerian Army has also been displaying its competence in containing internal conflicts, uprising, banditry and Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
“Despite the complications in the war against insurgency, the Nigerian Army has been striving to carry out its operations with extra caution to ensure that the law-abiding citizens do not suffer damages following the nefarious activities of the insurgents”.
General Musa said that, “It is therefore, a matter of pride to note that in spite of the new challenges associated with the execution of war against insurgency, the Nigerian Army has continued to demonstrate commitment and resilience towards ending the threat. In the process, a lot of the Army and Para-military personnel have paid the supreme price while many others were injured or incapacitated.
“I pray, may their souls rest in perfect peace and also pray for the quick recovery of the injured. I wish to commend all the personnel of the JTF Operation Hadin Kai for their patriotism and being the backbone in executing the war against insurgency in the North East and Lake Chad Basin region to date”, General Musa added.
It was disclosed that a total of 35 officers, 48 soldiers and 36 others were presented medals award, while five officers were honoured with commendation letters and gallantry award and nine media critical stakeholders as combat journalists’ on information/news reportage and management of Nigerian military operations in the North East zone on counter insurgency operations were presented with medals for their show of professionalism and doggedness in their responsibilities.
The five distinguished awards of honour and gallantry went to officers, namely, Lt. Col. Manga, Squadron Leader Ayu, Assistant Superintendent Immigration A Abashi, Lance Cprl. Yahaya Hussaini and Lance Cprl. Abbas Sunday.
Media critical stakeholders in the reportage and management of news/Information on military activities that were Honoured and decorated include, Ndahi Salihu Inusa of Vanguard Newspapers, Hamza Suleiman of NAN, Haruna Dauda of VOA, Sadiq Abubakar of Blueprint Newspapers, Patrick Mark of AIT, Timothy Olanrewaju of The Sun Newspapers and Ahmed Mari of Champion Newspapers.
Others include Hassan Ibrahim of Daily Trust Newspapers, Mamuna Garba of NTA Network Center, Jesse Tafida, of TVC and Abdulkareem Haruna of HumAngle Online Newspaper among others.
Highlights of the occasion include decoration and presentation of officers, soldiers, media practitioners, group photographs and refreshment.