Army trains personnel to rout remnants of terrorists, others

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said that this year’s Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) week is to completely rout the remnants of Boko Haram insurgents and other criminals in the country.

Buratai, who made the comment yesterday while addressing participants in the COSAT training at the Command Quest House, Maiduguri, Borno State, said activities of armed militia had become prominent in kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes and cattle rustling.

“This year’s training week is coming at a time when the nation is at the threshold of completely routing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists.

The training will also enable our troops fight and eliminate other criminals in various parts of the country.”

Buratai, who was represented by the Commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command, Maj-Gen Abubakar Salihu, said the participants would brainstorm on and strategise to combat contemporary security challenges.

He noted that previous combat support arms training had been instrumental to initiation of major policies of the Nigerian Army.

According to Buratai, the training will boost professionalism through equipment maintenance and other exercises.

On other operations of the army, the COAS said significant progress had been made in the ongoing move against insurgency in the Northeast.

“The troops were able to carry out synchronized engagements in Operation Lafiya Dole and Operation Last Hold, denying Boko Haram
terrorists and other criminals the freedom of action.”

Buratai called for more efforts and synergy to achieve an enduring lasting peace that could boost socio-economic development.

“Even though the insurgents have been technically defeated, there is still more to be done.

As combat support arms, you have a major role to play in the final defeat of the terrorists,” he charged the participants.