THE 20th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Tukur Buratai yesterday took over and said that efforts are in top gear to make the command headquarters of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Multi-National Joint Task Force functional.
Meanwhile, the new COAS also met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa yesterday.
“We are working hard in collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force to ensure that it comes into full operation,” he said after the meeting.
The Army Chief did not disclose the content of his discussion with the president to State House Correspondents, however, promising that events in the nation’s Army Command would be unfolded soon.
He said the newsmen were dynamic and trying to force him to talk, adding, “I am just a few hours on this seat, I will give you information as the time unfolds.”
The new COAS said, “The posting to the Multi-National Joint Task Force is the assignment that really brought me out, and I must appreciate you sir (Minimah) for recognizing me to hold that international assignment.”
He reiterated that his relationship with the outgoing COAS is special as he has always “followed him”, right from the time they were at the Defence College, even though he was his senior, to this time that he is again taking over from him, in fulfillment of “the prayer of every officer in the Armed Forces to aspire to the highest office in the service.”
In his valedictory remarks at the hand over to his successor, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah said the adoption of strict actions against gutless and disobedient troops has helped in restoring the hitherto lost pride, eroding discipline and confidence of the Army.
Minimah added that the Nigerian Army under his leadership had to take some strict decisions in order to restore the hitherto eroded confidence among the troops, as well as stabilize an obvious drift towards chaos in the Army; and this has remained his much-cherished legacy as a Chief of Army Staff.
He said at the time of his appointment “the army and indeed the nation was going through one of the worst crisis in our history. The level of violence and insecurity unleashed on Nigerians by Boko Haram terrorists has reached unprecedented heights. The Boko Haram terrorists had nearly brought the NA and the Armed Forces to her knees. Barracks were sacked at random, weapons and ammunition carted away and vulnerable citizens wantonly killed by the terrorists. The morale of our troops was at its lowest ebb. Soldiers regularly fled the battlefield on the slightest indication of an approaching adversary. Sadly, the nation began to lose confidence in its Army and the military.
“As I hand over today, the Boko Haram terrorists insurgency is at the throes of a certain defeat. During my tenure, we were able to reclaim all territories, sufficiently degrade their potency and reduced them to a band of criminals and petty thieves.
“Success do not come cheap, it came with the blood of all of us. In the face of unusual events we had to take some unusual actions. Some may adjudge us as being too strict especially in dealing with cases of cowardice and indiscipline in the field. But we had to do what we must to arrest the drift towards chaos that the Army was heading. I am happy that the results in the field today justify our actions.
“Today I am leaving behind an Army that can hold its own against any adversary without batting an eyelid. An Army that has vowed “Never Again” to concede any inch of Nigeria to terrorists. It is a legacy I am leaving behind and I implore you to sustain it,” Minimah appealed to his successor.
Minimah also said the “ordinary Nigerian” on the streets, who “stood up at critical times to support the Army and the military particularly during difficult days when the terrorists appeared to be gaining the upper hand over our military,” deserve commendation and encouragement, as well the “gallant troops who are in the frontlines, day and night, and under all conditions to ensure” that Nigeria is safe.

“They are the reason Nigeria is still on its feet today. Their courage, perseverance and sacrifice have inspired us in no small way.”
While expressing appreciation for the support of President Buhari from inauguration to now, Minimah said he is “happy that I am handing over to a seasoned Infantry General”, who he knows and worked closely with in the past. “I am confident that he will take the Nigerian Army to greater heights.