Buratai orders soldiers to stop killings in Kaduna
The Chief of
Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, on Monday said the Army would end the
wanton killings and destruction of properties in Birnin Gwari and environs.
Buratai gave
the assurance during the flag-off the 2 Battalion Forward Operation Base (FOB)
at the troubled Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State.
”The killings must stop, the wanton
destructions of properties must stop not only within Kaduna state but across
the country.
” In the
next two to three weeks there must be a very resounding results that will bring
these criminals to their knees finally.”
He told the
soldiers to protect themselves, adding
”If we cannot protect ourselves then we can’t protect any other person.
“Am saying
this against the background of the unfortunate incident that happened here in
this particular place where eleven of our colleagues where unfortunately killed
in action.
“And after
that there were one or two situation where our colleagues were also killed.
“Our
training must be applied on ground wherever we find ourselves.
”That is the essence of us continuously
getting training exercises to ensure that we become more professional, and to
be professional means unnecessary casualties must be avoided and you must apply
all the techniques and the procedures.”
He said
Commanders will be personally held responsible for unnecessary casualties, stressing
that platoon and session commanders must
pilot their troop effectively wherever they are deployed , whether stationary
or on patrols.
”We are no
longer going to adopt the defensive approach, it must be offensive. Since the
battle has been brought to you, you must take it back and crush them wherever
they are.
”The bandits
are not coming from the moon or outer space, they are within this territory, so
I don’t know why you cannot go to where they are and get them fished out.
”The
commanders have briefed me thoroughly of your
challenges and be rest assured we have already started addressing some
of these challenges.
“We must
respond decisively and commanders must be personally held responsible for any
lapse , they must decide and take appropriate action, and anything outside
that, they must be held responsible.”
Earlier,
when the COAS paid him a courtesy visit at his palace, the Emir of
Birnin-Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Mai- Gwari II expressed confidence in the army,
saying with full military deployment, the bandits can be wiped out within a
short period.
According to
the Emir, “These people, the bandits cannot be contained by mounting of road
block or staying on the road, so the security operatives have to take the fight
to them in the bush otherwise they will continue to unleash mayhem.
“There are
some special forces that came recently and performed wonderfully well.
“Please the
Chief of Army Staff should bring them back. So if you bring these boys back and
even superior officers and personnel, am sure you will finish them on time,
because this is not Sambisa forest.
“And since
the Chief of Army Staff is here, were are sure this thing will come to an end.”
Said the Emir.
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