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Minimah visits Borno, Adamawa to boost morale of troops

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah, had paid an operational and morale boosting visit to troops fighting the war against Boko Haram in Borno and Adamawa states, a statement said. The statement, issued in Abuja by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col, Sani Usman, said Minimah visited the operational areas…
Minimah-COAS

Minimah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah, had paid an operational and morale boosting visit to troops fighting the war against Boko Haram in Borno and Adamawa states, a statement said.

The statement, issued in Abuja by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col, Sani Usman, said Minimah visited the operational areas on Wednesday, June 10.

Usman said that during the visit, Minimah addressed troops of the 7 Division Strike Group (7 DSG) and 121 Special Force (SF) Battalion that comprised the Army Special Forces located in Pulka, Borno.

He said Minimah also addressed troops of 26 Task Force Brigade in Gwoza, 28 Task Force Brigade and 174 Battalion in Mubi.

He added that in Pulka, Borno State, the Commander, 7 DSG, Lt.-Col. Umar Abubakar and the Commanding Officer of 121 SF Battalion, Lt.-Col. Murtala Abdulsalam briefed the army chief.

He noted that Minimah had commended the commanding officers for their performances before addressing the troops.

The COAs also commended the troops for their valour, courage and bravery, which turned the tide against the Boko Haram terrorists.

He said “the COAS informed the troops that the President and the whole nation are proud of them.

“The army boss also reiterated his determined effort to continue to support and encourage them and enjoined them to maintain the momentum.

“He also urged the soldiers to be more dedicated, disciplined, professional and continue with the same zeal and determination until the set objective of destroying Boko Haram is attained.’’

Usman said the exploits of the troops were numerous; apart from recapturing most Boko Haram held territories such as Pulka and Gwoza.

The army spokesman said at the headquarters of 26 Task Force Brigade Gwoza, the COAS was received and briefed by the Brigade Commander, Col. Irenuma Irabor.

He was accompanied by Lt.-Col Chidozie Amoha, the Garrison Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade.

Usman said that in his brief, the Brigade Commander stated that due to the recapture of Gwoza and the presence of the military, life was gradually getting back to normal.

He stated that the Brigade was working with Borno government and youth vigilance groups to screen returnees to prevent infiltration of fleeing terrorists from Sambisa forest.

He said that the Brigade had embarked on measures to enhance cordial relationship with the civil populace.

It would be recalled that it was in Gwoza that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, shot a video conducting special Friday prayers while proclaiming the town as headquarters of his ‘Caliphate’.

Usman said that while in Mubi, Minimah was received by the Commander, 28 Task Force Brigade, Brig.-Gen.Victor Ezugwu and the Commanding Officer, 174 Battalion, Lt.-Col. M.A Sadiq.

He said the COAS while addressing the troops said he was in Mubi to inform them that the Nigerian Army was proud of them for their unprecedented accomplishments.

He said that the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, being a retired army officer, was embarrassed by the cowardice of some soldiers, “but today, he is pleased with them.

“What they accomplished in recent weeks had brought international recognition and rekindled national pride.’’

Usman said the COAs was accompanied on the visit by Corps Commander of Nigerian Army Engineers, Maj.-Gen. S.J. Davies, Provost Marshal Army, Maj.-Gen. PAT Akem.

Others are Director, Military Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. L.W Wiwa, General Officers Commanding 3 and 7 Divisions, Maj.-Gen. FO Ali and Maj.-Gen. O Adeosun.

Also on the trip with the COAs were the Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation Service, Maj.-Gen. LEO Irabor, Chief of Staff to the COAS, Brig.-Gen. SE Oduonwa and the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman.

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