Soldiers fighting Boko Haram build their own water and bread factories in Borno State

SOLDIERS of the 115 Task Force Battalion in Maiduguri currently participating in Operation Lafiya Dole saddled with the responsibility of confronting Boko Haram have constructed bread and sachet water factories to cater for their needs.

 

Attached to the Seventh Mechanised Brigade of the Nigerian Army, based in the Borno State capital, the troops are constantly on the frontline, sometimes cut off from supplies. To address the situation, the troops have built their own factories at Askira-Uba, in Borno State, that will supply them with provisions.

 

 Major Yusuf Salisu, the commander of the 115 Task Force revealed the details of the development during an operational visit by Brigadier Bulama Biu, the acting general officer commanding the Seventh Mechanised Division. He added that the project was executed under the Battalion Commander Humanitarian Initiative.

 

According to Major Salisu, the initiative was part of a programme aimed at protecting soldiers from consuming unwholesome and poisonous foods or water from Boko Haram and their sympathisers. He explained that some of the bread sold daily in commercial places could contain cancer-causing chemicals, including Potassium Bromate and Potassium Iodate, which are banned substances in the country.

 

Major Salisu said: “The initiative is also designed to provide humanitarian support and services to the less privileged in the hospitals, churches, mosques and the entire host communities, with a view to strengthening civic relationships. So far we have provided bread for more than 2,000 patients in the hospitals in the communities.

 

“Every Friday and Sunday we take bread and distribute free of charge to Muslims and Christians in the communities. It has already yielded positive results because we were able to minimise the cost of providing breakfast to our soldiers.

 

“Also, potable drinking water, which used to pose great challenge in the past had also been addressed through our water factory. All our factories had been accessed and licensed by the National Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control and they have certified that the factories meet best standards.”

 

Brigadier Biu commended the troops for the initiative, noting that it would go a long way in reducing risk, illness and improving the health and safety of the troops. He urged other brigades within the theatre to emulate the 155 Battalion initiative and ideas that would add meaningful value to the welfare of troops while executing the counter terrorism campaign.

Share