The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has called on troops serving in the North-East to immediately embark on the final aggressive action and comprehensive sweep of the operational theatre to end the operation against the Boko Haram insurgents on a very high note.
Buratai made the call in a message to the troops, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.
“In this regard, no stone should be left unturned. I, therefore, call on all officers and soldiers to buckle up and ensure that remnants of Boko Haram terrorists are completely cleared.
“I hope to be with you sometime this month – December, to motivate and positively influence the ongoing operations.
“This is with a view to having a colourful end of year and peaceful Yuletide in the North-East and indeed Nigeria.
“I urge all commanders to plan and embark on effective patrols, raids, ambushes and deliberate attacks in conjunction with other Services especially the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, to rescue all those abducted by the terrorists.
“I also wish to remind all troops that captured and surrendered Boko Haram terrorists must be treated humanely and fairly and in strict accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Laws of Armed Conflict,” he said.
Buratai, however, said that in doing that they must be prepared to enter “all fortresses, camps, dens and enclaves of the Boko Haram to completely flush them out and dominate these areas to ensure they are not reoccupied”.
“I wish to reiterate that December is a month of decision.
“It is either we succeed in clearing the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists or we continue to live in perpetual circle of their atrocities in the North-East.
“I, hereby, want to reassure all troops that I intend to return everybody to Barracks in 2017 only leaving behind a strong, highly mobile, effective and motivated force that will continue to do the good work that we have already started,” he said.
The chief of army staff also called on the troops to remain focused, disciplined, loyal, dedicated and patriotic to their duties and to Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He also commended them for their sacrifice, commitment, loyalty and courage in the service of their fatherland.
