Oshiomhole Congratulates Buratai On Boko Haram War

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for his exemplary leadership style, which he noted has led to successes in the fight against terrorists.
The governor added that Buratai’s style motivates the officers and men in the war front against insurgents.
Speaking when the Army Chief paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin, on Wednesday, Oshiomhole said, “we in Edo State appreciate the leadership that you are providing for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Army in particular. We watch you on television and we see a very senior officer going to meet his officers and men right in the battle field, sharing the dust, the sun and all the deprivations, the sort of thing you sometime see in foreign countries. I think that you are leading by example in every sense of the word.
“Yes, Boko Haram has not exactly disappeared, but there is no doubt that they themselves will in their own way appreciate that things have changed, that the Nigerian side is better. They no longer have that audacity, that impunity to move freely without fear. So, you are doing a terrific job for Nigeria, and I believe that we are the beneficiaries, we the civilian population”.
He continued, “Nigeria doesn’t have boundaries, North East, North West, South East. It is just one. And I know that at a point, the Boko Haram elements had gotten up to Kogi. If that situation had continued, it was clear that by now some of us can’t sit here presiding over government affairs. So, we are very impressed with your leadership, we are impressed with your style, we are impressed and excited with your total commitment that people can see from your body language and from your action in the battle field. We can only pray that God will give you more strength, more wisdom and even better courage that this war which is already won that you sustain it, and in the very near future our brothers and sisters who have been displaced, some of whom are in Edo State, will have the confidence to be able to return to their various homes and get on with their lives the way it was before the word ‘Boko Haram’ ever emerged in our national discourse.
“Let me also thank you, sir, that your officers at the 4th Brigade under the leadership of the Brigade Commander, his officers and men; they have been very terrific in helping us to do what is not conventional in military duty, in complementing the efforts of the police in day-to-day security related issues. We have what we call ‘Operation Thunder Storm’, and your officers and men have been wonderful through that scheme helping us to maintain and to fight criminality, violent crimes, kidnappings and armed robbery. And you know when our people see the army uniform, it instills the sense of discipline in the people, and that is because the Nigerian Army has, in spite of the challenges you have had in terms of poor funding, or even diversion of funds, conducted itself in a way that it commands respect in the eyes of the Nigerian people”.
He added, “For us in Edo State, the army is part of the Edo community and we see the barracks as an extension of the community. And many of our children are attending schools that are located within the barracks. So, we are very thankful, very appreciative for the support that we have enjoyed from officers and men of the Nigerian Army under the brigade here in Benin.
“Yes, Boko Haram is still there, but obviously there is no doubt it no longer has that capacity to harass us. I think whatever they do now is like a dead snake, it might still continue to wriggle its body, but it’s dead. It is only with time that the teeth will be removed.
“So, congratulations on your efforts. I believe the Nigerian people appreciate. We also congratulate the Commander-in-Chief for his leadership. What has also come out in recent times is that no matter how serious the Nigerian Army is, if the Commander-in-Chief is not clear and doesn’t provide the right leadership, the army will to that extent be constrained. President Muhammadu Buhari is exactly the kind of person we need at this time, when Nigeria is in distress, we need someone to give all of us the sense of confidence. And there is a leadership that we can trust, a leadership that commands respect and a leadership with integrity”.
Earlier, Lt.-Gen. Buratai said he was on a familiarization visit to army formations and units in Edo State.
He said, “Your Excellency, I am here today in Edo State on a familiarization visit to my units and formations here within the 2 Division areas of responsibility. I was in Ibadan yesterday, and today I am here in Benin. I have visited the 4 Brigade as well as the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport.
“I am here to formally get myself acquainted with the officers and soldiers of the Brigade and also to assess their performances in various duties, both internal as well as the operation Pulo Shield as well as the administrative, logistics and operational challenges. So, Your Excellency, I deemed it necessary to pay you a courtesy call as a mark of respect and also as a mark of a very good relationship that has been existing between the good government of Edo State ably led by you and the Nigerian Army formations and units here”.
He said, “I want to appreciate most sincerely despite the short notice you accepted to host me this evening. I appreciate you Your Excellency, and I want to assure you that the Nigerian Army, in spite of its constitutional role will continue to support the state government in its discharge of its sensitive security responsibilities that have been enshrined and mandated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For this, I must commend the 4 Brigade for its good relationship not only with the State Government, but other security agencies, and this collaborative effort has really stabilized the security situation here, and I want to assure you that this will be maintained.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to observe the rules of engagement which are properly backed up with the necessary laws of the nation. And I want to assure you that the Nigerian Army will remain professional and remain responsive to the needs and aspirations of the State in terms of security. Thank you, Your Excellency. I am pleased to be here. I thank you for all the support”.