Eid: Buratai celebrates with troops in Zamfara

In commemoration of the 2019 Eid-El-Fitr celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai today, 4th June 2019 paid an operational visit to Headquarters 1 Brigade Nigerian Army and frontline troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI fighting kidnapping, cattle rustling, armed banditry and the varying forms of criminality in the North Western part of Nigeria.

The Chief of Army Staff, represented by the Chief of Training and Operations Army, Major General Lamidi Adeosun commenced today’s routine by joining Muslim faithfuls to mark this years’ Eid Fitr prayer at the Force Headquarters, Operation HADARIN DAJI in Gusua, Zamfara state.

Maj Gen Adeosun later delivered the Chief of Army Staff’s goodwill message to the Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army (1 Brigade & HADARIN DAJI) shortly after the prayers.

He commended the troops for their dedication, sacrifices and loyalty to the Nation. He urged them to remain steadfast in the ongoing efforts to checkmate insurgency, banditry and other associated insecurities in Nigeria.

The Chief Imam of 1 Brigade, Capt A Kado also offered prayers for the protection and victory of the Chief of Army Staff, Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army as well as the entire people of Nigeria.

Dignitaries that attended the prayer session included the Force Commander, Operation HADARIN DAJI Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade, Principal Staff Officers, community leaders, soldiers and their families.

The Chief of Army Staff represented by Major General Lamidi Adeosun later proceeded to the front line on Operational visit to troops deployed at the Forward Operation Base (FOB) Kauran Namoda, Operation HADARIN DAJI in Zamfara State.

He used to opportunity to interact with troops while boosting their morale by charging them to defeat all forms of criminality especially armed banditry in their Area of Responsibility (AOR). Gen Adeosun read the good will message of the COAS, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai to the troops while urging them to sustain the tempo by ensuring the criminal elements are defeated to enable them return to their respective station to enjoy “barrack life”. He also assured troops of enhancement in their welfare package and remuneration.

The COAS later paid a courtesy visit to the newly inaugurated Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Dr. Mohammed Bello alongside members of his entourage.

The Executive Governor who was visibly elated showered encomiums on the Chief of Army Staff, LtvGen Tukur Yusuf Buratai for his commitment in ensuring Nigeria becomes a peaceful entity. He also pledged to support the Nigerian Army by providing the necessary logistics to ensure the menace of armed banditry is eliminated across the State. He used the opportunity to request for more manpower to enable troops reopen the Gusau — Katsina — Sokoto road occasionally disturbed by bandits.

The visit to Zamfara State reached a climax when the COAS hosted officers and soldiers of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army to Sallah Day Luncheon with the Executive Governor of the State and members of his council in attendance.

The event also had in attendance Principal Staff Officers from the 8 Division Headquarters, the Commander Operation HADARIN DAJI Maj Gen JJ Ogunlade, Commander 1 Brigade Brigadier Gen LKN Udeagbala among other senior officers that accompanied the representative of the Chief of Army Staff to the visit.