Chief of army staff decorates 65 soldiers in recognition of their gallantry against Boko Haram

NIGERIA'S chief of army staff Lt General Tukur Buratai has decorated 65 soldiers from the Seventh Mechanised Division in Maiduguri with gallantry medals in recognition of their bravery in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

Since 2009, the Nigerian Army has been waging a war against Boko Haram, who have been seeking to establish a Sharia enclave in the northeast of the country. As a result, the Nigerian Army has suffered heavy casualties and in appreciation of their bravery, the military high command has decided to honour the troops.

Lt Col Emmanuel Kingsley, the spokesman for the Seventh Mechanised Brigade, said: “Two officers and 63 soldiers serving under the 151 Task Force Battalion of the 21 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, serving in Operation Lafiya Dole, were decorated for their gallantry and bravery in the face of the enemy. On July 10, the soldiers came under Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks on two separate occasions but they were able to manoeuvre their way out of the ambush.

“They engaged the insurgents, inflicting heavy casualties on them and also recovered weapons, improvised explosive devices, gun trucks and logistics. General Buratai tasked the soldiers not to rest on their oars but conclude the fight against Boko Haram terrorists and return to barracks to continue with training and other routine duties."

He added that the army boos recently visited military formations at Awulari along Bama Road and inspected the test firing of an artillery weapons by 304 Artillery Regiment. General Buratai equally visited troop’s location at Alau Dam along Konduga Road and also joined soldiers on patrol in gunboats stationed at the jetty.

As part of his ongoing visit of troop formations, general Buratai visited 25 Task Force Brigade, of the Seventh Mechanised Division in Damboa and also inspected the training of troops of Mobile Strike Teams at Buni Yadi in Yobe State. This was in compliance with a directive given to him last week by acting president Professor Yemi Osinbajo to relocate his headquarters to the northeast.