B’Haram: Army Honours Troops

THE Nigerian Army might have demonstrated its capacity to issue different strokes to different folks yesterday when it honoured troops of 27 Brigade of the Military Task Force for gallantry in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in Yobe State.

The Army had recently inaugurated a General Court Martial (GCM) headed by Maj. Gen O.E. Ekanem of Defence Headquarters Abuja to try Brig. Gen. Enitan Ransome-Kuti, his Chief of Staff, Lt Col G.A. Suru, and three other senior officers, for failing to offer leadership in repelling the Boko Haram attack on the headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Baga, Borno State in January.

The military, in the ongoing battle against the insurgents, has had to, on several occasions, take punitive action against its soldiers adjudged to have performed below standard. But for the men of 27 Brigade, yesterday, it was time to show that their resolve to fight is acknowledged and appreciated.

The medals, according to the military, are for all the officers and men that participated in ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’ in the last six months in Yobe State.

Other medals presented to the soldiers in Damaturu, the state capital, included the Nigerian Army Purple Heart, for
those killed or injured while fighting the insurgents.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam praised the bravery of the troops deployed to restore peace and stability in the North East.

He said: “These medals symbolise the genuine expression of Yobe State government’s gratitude, and assurance that the sacrifices and services they (troops) rendered to their fatherland shall never be forgotten.

“In addition to providing logistics, we have been according priority attention to the welfare of the officers and men who prosecute the campaign through the provision of drugs to the brigade clinic, payment of allowances, payment of medical bills of those who sustained injuries and assistance to the families of our heroes who lost their lives while combating insurgency in the state.”

He paid glorious tributes to those killed in various stages of the Operation, saying they have not died in vain, as their patriotic acts would remain evergreen in the memories of Nigerians.

Army spokesman for 27 Brigade, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said: “These awards were approved by the Chief of Army Staff for gallantry exhibited by the officers and
men of the Brigade in the various operation against Boko Haram insurgency, which has, of recent, liberated Gulani and Gujba council areas of Yobe State.”

He said in defense of the state, the Brigade deployed troops to Nguru, Damaturu, Geidam, Gashua, Katarko, Goneri/Buni Yadi and the Brigade would continue to work towards the restoration of peace in affected areas.