Boko Haram: Army Will Correct All Operational Flaws – Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said on Monday that the Army under his Command would correct all the flaws that the counter-insurgency efforts against the five-year-old Boko Haram has exposed.

Buratai spoke at the 2015 Regimented Sergeant Major (RSM) Convention in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which has as theme, “Enhancing the Capacity of the RSMs to be Professionally Responsive in the Discharge of their Roles.”

According to Buratai, “We are all aware of the ongoing operations which the Nigerian Army is engaged in, especially Op Lafiya Dole. The counter-insurgency operations have exposed some flaws in our discipline, regimentation and professionalism as well as the general conduct of officers and men of our Army.

“This underscores my vision on assumption of office which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.”

Buratai added: “The focus of my command of the Nigerian Army is to restore the long cherished core values of the Nigerian Army through discipline, regimentation and professionalism.

“It is my belief that the attainment of these three cardinal objectives will refocus the Nigerian Army towards a more responsive force that is ever ready to defend the territorial integrity of our nation and effectively undertake all tasks as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Reminding the RSMs that they occupy important position in the drive towards repositioning the Nigerian Army, the COAS said “as the most important link between the officers and soldiers, as well as the custodians and repository of unit regimentation, it is pertinent to re-emphasize that my vision cannot work without a well-disciplined, knowledgeable and highly motivated crop of RSMs who are ready to willingly and effectively discharge their responsibilities at all times.”

Buratai said the convention which has “Enhancing the Capacity of the RSMs to be Professionally Responsive in the Discharge of their Roles,” as theme is expected to provide an avenue for interaction and cross-fertilisation of ideas between the officers entrusted with leadership and the RSMs who are custodians of customs, ethics, traditions and values of the service.

Special guest of honour at the convention was the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, who expressed happiness that the state was picked to host the RSMs who, according to him, are the heart of the barrack.

Promising each of the RSMs at the convention a cash gift of N50,000, the governor exuded confidence that the military has all it takes to end the reign of terror by the insurgents.