The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says troops fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East would be returned to the barracks in 2017, when the fight would have been over, The Punch reports.
The army chief, stated this when he visited the 81 battalion on Monday, added that success over the Boko Haram remnants in the area would also facilitate the return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their homes.
He said, “Going by my first message in December, we must work to get out of this place. We must work to get out of this operation very quickly. We must defeat the Boko Haram. I was in one of the barracks and I have assured the families of our troops that many of you will go back in 2017.
“This battalion has done well. It fought along with the Cameroonian troops in this battle which means it is better placed to deal with these criminals. We must continue with the aggressive actions, patrol and ambush.
“We must move into all the hideouts of these criminals and fish them out. Other troops in the Sambisa Forest are dealing with them as well.”
Buratai said the army would do more to enhance the welfare of troops, adding that there would be a rotation of soldiers every six months of deployment.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
so buratai wants the military out of violent north east and transferred to peaceful south east…WHY?